R.O.T.C. at Bowie State is on the Move

Program Attracting More Students and Growing

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, dlthompson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311

(BOWIE, Md.) – This fall Bowie State University’s Army ROTC program welcomed 95 students into the cohort, a 23% increase over last year aligning with the university’s largest freshman class ever reflecting students increased interest in attending an HBCU and the academic programs that BSU offers. 

“A key factor in the success of the Army ROTC program has been the amazing support provided by the entire BSU community,” said LTC Kareem Fernandez, the officer leading the program. “Our community understands the important role our cadet’s will assume upon graduation leading our nation’s very best men and women. Our collective job is to best prepare them to assume their responsibilities and represent BSU and the Bulldog Battalion to the fullest.”

Under LTC Fernandez’s leadership, BSU Army ROTC cadets have excelled at Cadet Summer Training (CST) producing more Distinguished Military Graduates than any other HBCU. Distinguished Military Graduates are cadets that are commissioned in the top 20% of their graduating class nationwide.

Held annually at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Cadet Summer Training is the Army’s largest training event and the capstone event for all ROTC Cadets. The 35-day event is designed to develop a cadet's critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and to guide them into becoming tough, adaptable leaders who can thrive in ambiguous and complex environments. Successful completion of the training is a prerequisite to becoming an Army officer in the ROTC program.   

“Everyone wants to be associated with a winning team and that’s what we have at Bowie State,” said LTC Fernandez. “My first class of 2021 was the largest in the history of the program with 23 Second Lieutenants commissioned into the United States Army. The commissioning class of 2022 tied the record, and the program is on track to exceed that number in 2023 and following years.”

LTC Fernandez was assigned to lead Bowie State’s ROTC program in the spring of 2021 and soon after the program had been conferred the prestigious MacArthur Award for its performance during the 2019 - 2020 Academic Year. Bowie State was the first HBCU to be receive the award since 2001. Financial assistance is available for ROTC cadets to support tuition, books, and other college expenses based on specific requirements that they must satisfy.

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.