Commander’s Welcome
Thank you for visiting our page and expressing interest in our Program! For over 150 years we have trained Cadets to serve our nation and our community, and now you have the opportunity to join this proud tradition. We are the only host program in the State! Husson University is our cross town partner and together we form the Black Bear Battalion!
You have many choices when joining an ROTC program. Here at UMaine we pride ourselves on opportunities, location and culture. You will learn necessary skills to be a future leader in the Army while enjoying everything Maine has to offer. Our program wants you to excel in every interest you have. You don’t have to choose Army or Sports, Army or Honors College and most importantly Army or college experience. While our program builds you to become a leader in the Army it also prepares you to thrive in life.
Our focus is on leadership skills that get results using a professional ethos framework emphasizing mission accomplishment, innovation, and teamwork. Students gain an understanding of the importance for a leader to have the ability to develop goals and communicate a vision, creating a cohesive organization committed to lifelong learning and bonded together by trust and teamwork. Students take Army ROTC in conjunction with one of the 88 Undergraduate or one of the 64 Graduate Degree programs offered on campus. When you earn your degree and successfully complete our program you commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.
Why choose Maine? Located in Orono, eight miles north of Bangor, the University of Maine campus encompasses 660 acres and is bound by the Penobscot and Stillwater Rivers. The campus offers an extensive trail network for running, biking, and skiing. We are able to take advantage of the DeMeritt Forest for physical training, tactical training, and land navigation by literally stepping out our back door. With Acadia National Park about an hour away, fishing and outdoor recreation in every direction and within 4 hours to Boston and the surrounding areas we offer the complete learning and active environment!
Recently selected as an R1 institution as a doctoral university with very high research activity and forming a partnership with the Honors College, you can achieve anything you want to put your mind to! Play sports? We will help you achieve balance to be successful both in our program and on your athletic field.
I hope you choose to make the University of Maine and the Black Bear Battalion part of your future as many before you have. Those that graduated the program have been truly blessed with opportunities provided by the university and the U.S. Army. The rest of the cadre, staff, and I hope to share our knowledge and experience with you.
LTC Steven Veves
59th Professor of Military Science