The Bear Battalion (formerly known as the Bear Brigade) was established at Morgan State College in 1948 by the president of the college, Dr. Martin Jenkins. It is one of only four Senior Army ROTC host programs in the state of Maryland. Originally affiliated with the Infantry Branch, it is now affiliated with the Ordnance Branch. The first two years of ROTC was mandatory for all male students. During the 1972-1973 school year, the Army- for the first time- authorized the enrollment of women in ROTC.

Morgan State University has always had a proud tradition of producing top-quality Officers for the Total Army. More than 1,300 Officers have graduated from the Bear Battalion. In 1979, Morgan State University produced its first General Officer, Brigadier General George M. Brooks. On November 13, 2001, General Larry R. Ellis received his fourth star and is now the fourth African American to reach the rank of General in the Army. He is the first from a Historically Black College or University. In total, the Bear Battalion has produced twelve General Officers.

The Morgan State University ROTC Program had its largest enrollment in a decade in the fall of 1998 with a freshmen enrollment of over one hundred Cadets. Additionally, in the fall of 2000, Morgan State ROTC's partnership program at Coppin State University enrolled over one hundred Cadets, the largest since the partnership started.

Morgan State University implemented a Room and Board Bridge Grant Program to reward the ROTC Cadets and to assist in the recruitment and retention of Cadets in the ROTC program.

In October 1985, the Morgan State ROTC Alumni Association was established. The association continues to be a key supporter of the ROTC program and sponsors Cadets annually at the ROTC Military Ball.

The Morgan State ROTC Enhancement Team was established to advise the U.S. Army Cadet Command in a cooperative effort to improve the recruitment and retention of students in the program. The Engagement Team consists of seven alumni. The mission of the team is to assist with recruitment, retention, training, and ensure overall effectiveness of the ROTC program.

In 2001 and 2002, U.S. Army Cadet Command recognized the Bear Battalion in the top third of ROTC programs in the nation. In November 2002, the Bear Battalion was awarded the prestigious General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award for outstanding performance. The support of the University, Alumni Association, and Enhancement Team were instrumental in the Morgan State University ROTC program achieving a superior rating.

Heraldry: Shoulder Loop Insignia

The shoulder loop insignia is a type of uniform decoration used to display symbols of status or affiliation, typically worn on the shoulder straps of a uniform. These insignias can be made of various materials, including metal or cloth, and are attached to the shoulder loops or epaulets of military uniforms.

This shoulder loop insignia was originally authorized for Morgan State College on June 28, 1956, by the United States Institute of Heraldry. It was worn on the military dress uniform by members of Morgan State College Army ROTC to signify their affiliation with the organization. Its original inscription read, "MORGAN STATE COLLEGE". The shoulder loop insignia was amended on January 21, 1976, to reflect the designation of "MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY".

The shoulder loop insignia is a gold metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches (3.18 cm) in height overall consisting of a blazoned shield. The shield is divided into quarters. The first and fourth quarters are a paly of six pieces, Or (gold) and Sable (black), and a bend dexter (right diagonal band) counterchanged, so that they consist of six alternating gold and vertical bars with a diagonal band on which the colors are reversed. The second and third quarters are quartered Argent (white) and Gules (red), a cross bottony counterchanged, so that they consist of a quartered field of white and red, charged with a Greek cross that has arms terminating in trefoils and opposite coloring so that red is on the white quarters and white is on the red quarters, as represented on the escutcheon of the Maryland State seal. In the center is a torch enflamed of the first on a pale Azure. On top of the shield, a blue bar bears the inscription STEADFAST" in gold letters. At the base is a blue scroll, roughly in the shape of a trefoil, bearing the inscription "MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY" in gold letters.

Heraldry: Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (Retired)

The shoulder sleeve insignia is a distinctive cloth patch worn by Soldiers in the United States Army. It is typically displayed on the left sleeve of the uniform just below the shoulder seam. The shoulder sleeve insignia serves to identify the primary headquarters to which a Soldier is assigned, often reflecting the unit's history, mission, or function. These patches are part of the official heraldry of the United States Army and are symbolic, incorporating various colors and designs that have specific meanings related to the unit's identity.

This historic shoulder sleeve insignia was originally authorized on June 15, 1976 by the United States Institute of Heraldry. It was amended to include subdued colors on June 5, 1987. It is an oval-shaped item consisting of an inner blue disc on which is the orange head of a bear couped irregularly at the neck and detailed blue. An orange band surrounds the disc with the blue inscription, from left to right, "MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY". The base of the band bears the blue inscription, "BEARS". The blue letters are 5/16 inch (.79 cm) in height. The two inscriptions are separated by a dot. The shoulder sleeve insignia is 3 inches in height.

The blue and orange colors symbolize Morgan State University's colors. The bear is the mascot of Morgan State University. The bear is renowned for its spirit and tenacity and represents the qualities demonstrated by Cadets in academic, physical, and military endeavors.

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (Current)

The current shoulder sleeve insignia has undergone many revisions and was finally authorized on April 28, 2024. This effort aimed to capture Coppin State University's official accreditation of ROTC courses pursuant to approval by its Curriculum Standards and Policies Committee on November 15, 2001. In addition, the current shoulder sleeve insignia seeks to honor the history and heritage of the organization representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

This shoulder sleeve insignia consists of a blue and gold circular disc. The blue represents the colors of Morgan State University, the organization's responsibility to students and community, the loyalty of faculty and staff, and the alumni who stay committed to nurturing the generations behind them. The gold represents the colors of Coppin State University, the pursuit of higher ideals, wisdom, and understanding, the success of the organization's legacy, and the achievements of students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

At the center, a blue disc contains the head of a bear couped irregularly at the neck and an eagle in flight. The bear is the mascot of Morgan State University. The bear is renowned for its spirit and tenacity and represents the qualities demonstrated by Cadets in academic, physical, and military endeavors. The eagle is the mascot of Coppin State University. The eagle soars to heights above the clouds and represents the courage, nobility, and strength of our Cadets as they soar to heights higher than they can imagine. On the bottom of the blue disc are two inscriptions, "HBCU" and "1948", signifying the Historically Black Colleges and Universities represented by the Bear Battalion and the original year of establishment of the Bear Brigade. A gold banner surrounds the disc with the blue inscriptions, "MORGAN STATE", "COPPIN STATE", "ARMY ROTC", and "BEAR BATTALION". Four blue stars separate each inscription, representing the one-, two-, three-, and four-star General Officers that the organization has produced. The insignia is circular, symbolizing the cyclical nature of the organization as it nurtures students to success, as graduates become influential leaders of their communities and country, and as alumni give back to the next generation of students. The shoulder sleeve insignia is 4 inches by 4 inches, symbolizing the four years of academic pursuit within ROTC.

Snapshot in History

Bear Battalion Cadets and members of the Pershing Angels perform a silent rifle drill exhibition at the 2019 annual Military Ball. The Military Ball is a formal event attended by those who serve our country, their families, and esteemed guests. It is a celebration of each servicemembers’ hard work and dedication to duty, honor, and country. It is a recognition of their loved ones and their immeasurable support that made it happen. It is a dignified and solemn remembrance of those who are still missing and those who never returned. Morgan State has hosted its Military Ball every year since the inception of the Bear Battalion (formerly known as the Bear Brigade) in 1948.