History of the Eagle Battalion
The Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Program at Georgia Southern College (GSC) was established in 1980 following a petition by the student body and subsequent approval by Dr. Lick, the College President. The first ROTC classes began in the Fall Quarter of 1980 as an extension program of the Department of Military Science, Mercer University. In October of 1981, the GSC Army ROTC Program achieved Host status, and LTC James C. Hare, Jr. became its first Professor of Military Science.
The program began to expand when a cross-enrolled agreement was signed with Emanuel County Junior College in 1983 (which was later cancelled in 1985). Further expansion occurred in 1984 when the GSC Department of Military Science assumed responsibility for the Army ROTC Program at Armstrong State College and Savannah State College.
Today, the Eagle Battalion ROTC Program is comprised of Georgia Southern University (GSU) as the host, with Armstrong Atlantic State University, and Savannah State University as partnership schools.
From its infancy until today, the GSU Army ROTC Program has only one mission; to commission the future officer leadership of the United States Army. Across all three campuses, only the highest quality students are recruited and retained as ROTC Cadets. By graduation, only the best of these cadets receive a degree as well as a gold bar.
History of the Cadet Command Patch
The shield symbolizes the Army mission of National Defense and is divided into quarters representing the four traditional Military Science courses comprising the Senior ROTC curriculum. The Sword signifies courage, gallantry, and self-sacrifice intrinsic to the profession of arms. The Lamp denotes the pursuit of knowledge, higher learning, and the partnership of Army ROTC with American colleges and universities. The Greek Helmet is symbolic of the ancient civilization concept of the Warrior Scholar. The motto "Leadership Excellence" expresses the ultimate responsibility of Army ROTC in the discharge of its moral responsibility to the nation.
History of the Eagle Battalion Patch
First Design
The Institutional Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was authorized to be worn on the right shoulder of the military uniform by SROTC cadets at Georgia Southern University on 4 May 1983. The insignia consists of a 3 inch disc edged with a 1/8 inch blue border; this background is divided horizontally into halves, blue above gold issuing from dexter (right hand side) the white profiled head of an eagle. The colors blue, white, and gold are the colors of the University, and the Eagle is the mascot of the University.
History of the Eagle Battalion Crest
The Eagle Battalion Crest was approved 5 January 1980. The crest was designed to capture the pride and spirit felt by the Eagle Battalion Cadets over the years. The crest is divided into five components. The colors, royal blue, white (silver), and orange represent the colors of Georgia Southern University. The torch enflamed is indicative of learning. The six rays represent the six schools comprising the University and further commemorates its role in lighting the way to the future through education. The sheathed sword alludes to the military and the Eagle is the mascot of the University and the Battalion.
GSU ROTC Recieves Two Humvees
12 November 2009
In this photo, COL(R) Stan Wilson, who found the Humvees that a Reserve unit was going to turn in, formally gives LTC Fredrick the Humvees, the day after Veteran's Day, 2009.
