A Proud History-A Bright Future
The Bucknell University ROTC Battalion has been proud to help
develop the leaders of tomorrow.
BISON Battalion History
The military heritage of the Bison Battalion dates back to 1863, when the
Student Voluntary Company was called to assist in stemming the Confederate
tide that was to crest at Gettysburg. Since then, the Bison Battalion has
been involved in the Spanish-American War in 1899, World War I, with the
establishment of the Student’s Army Training Corps, and World War II, with the
establishment of the V-12 program for the Navy and marines both at Bucknell
and Bloomsburg Universities. During the Korean War, Bucknell petitioned the
Department of Defense to establish an Army ROTC unit on campus. The unit
began in 1951 and commissioned its first officer in 1952. Since then, over
2,000 students have earned commissions through ROTC at Bucknell and its
Partnership Schools. Initially, the new Department of Military Science
offered basic and advanced training in two branches, the Transportation Corps
and the Corps of Engineers. In 1956, the branch unit program was replaced by
a general military science curriculum which prepares the ROTC graduate for
commissioning in any branch of the Army. This curriculum remains in place
today. In 1961, the basic ROTC course was no longer compulsory. During the
Vietnam War era, the Bison Battalion ROTC suffered a loss of popularity, and,
as a result, its academic department standing was lowered to that of a
co-curricular program.
In 1973, Susquehanna University became a Partnership School with Bucknell.
Their first commissioning took place in May of 1976.
In 1974, Bloomsburg State College and Lycoming College became Partnership
Schools with Bucknell. Bloomsburg commissioned their first lieutenant in May
of 1976, while Lycoming’s first commissioning took place in July of 1977.
In 1986, Bloomsburg’s ROTC department was elevated to an extension center. It
maintained its own staff and cadet company organization until 1996 when it was
reverted back to a partnership program. Over 100 cadets have earned their
commission through the Bloomsburg ROTC program since its establishment in 1974.
In August of 1998, Pennsylvania College of Technology became a Partnership
School with Bucknell. Their first commissioning took place in December of
1997.
Together, these schools make up the Bison Battalion, an organization that has
earned respect throughout Cadet Command because of their enviable performance
record at ROTC Advance Camp. As a result, the Bison Battalion won the
Governor’s Cup in 1989 which recognized this unit as the best ROTC unit in
Pennsylvania. In 1990, and 2004, the battalion won the MacArthur Award from
Cadet Command as the best small-school ROTC unit in the eastern United States.
In 1996, the battalion was recognized as the second runner-up in the 2nd
Brigade for their overall performance at Advance Camp.
Today’s battalion of 60 cadets continues to excel in training, developing and
mentoring the future leaders of the United States Army.
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