The Department of Military Science holds events throughout the academic year for cadets, alumni, families and the MSU community. Explore below to learn more about these events.
This is an opportunity designed to help incoming students smoothly transition to college life and the MSU Army ROTC Program both academically and socially. Held before the start of the academic year, the Welcome Picnic/ New Student Orientation features a variety of welcome activities and information sessions to prepare students for the university experience. Students will receive an initial orientation from the Professor of Military Science, followed by essential Cadre guidance on balancing ROTC training, classes, and personal time. First year students will also connect directly with returning peer cadets who can share firsthand insights about succeeding in the program and at MSU.
MSU Army ROTC third- and fourth-year cadets welcome incoming first-year scholarship students through a three-phase leadership event called the Spartan Solarium. During Phase 1, upperclassmen plan the training, inspect the sites, and practice the schedule one week early. Phase 2 involves the main arrival in late August, featuring student briefings, a welcome picnic, and new student in-processing. Phase 3 wraps up the event with a complete common area cleanup and full equipment accountability.
Sparticipation is an annual involvement fair for students to promote opportunities with student organizations, departments, and the broader community to kick start their Spartan journey. This free event has quickly become a highlight of the start of the academic year with over 500 student organizations, 30 MSU Departments, .
The annual Cadet Prayer Breakfast brings cadre and cadets together for a shared meal, fellowship, and communal prayer. This academic event offers a purposeful pause from rigorous physical and mental training, allowing participants to reflect on and strengthen their spiritual fitness.
The race is an annual 64-mile friendly rivalry between Michigan State and University of Michigan, raising money in memory of Alex Powell, who passed away in 2011 from cancer while attending MSU. A team of Army ROTC cadets from both universities runs the game day ball from one campus to the university hosting the game.
The Alex's Great State Race raises awareness and funds for disability support services, ensuring that other students facing challenges can still experience college life like Alex did.
The ceremony consists of a joint Army and Air Force ROTC service at the historic MSU Alumni Memorial Chapel, bringing together campus leadership, service members, and community residents in a solemn reflection of military service.
All students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend as we honor those who have served our nation.
MSU celebrates Homecoming Week with a variety of activities for Spartans and community members.
The Homecoming Parade is a beloved Spartan tradition that brings the community together for a celebration of pride and spirit. Experience the energy of the Spartan Marching Band, Michigan high school bands, MSU campus groups, community organizations, university leaders and of course, Sparty himself — plus so much more.
During Field Training Exercises, cadets apply skills learned from leadership labs. Key skills include land navigation, and troop leading procedures.
The Staff Ride comprises an educational excursion to Gettysburg, National Military Park in Pennsylvania for senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets and cadre. Participants engage in experiential learning through site visits and historical analysis at the museum and battlefield.
The Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo is conducted in our nation’s capital by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington (MDW). Attracting over 35,000 runners and 900 teams from around the world, the Army Ten-Miler (ATM) exemplifies the Spirit of Sport and the Spirit of a Nation. Participants include military, civilians, wheel chair athletes, and wounded warrior athletes. ATM’s mission is to support Army outreach, build morale, and promote physical fitness. Over 900 Soldiers and 900 volunteers support the Army’s “world class” ATM race.
During Contracting, cadets recite the Oath of Enlistment administered by the Professor of Military Science. The first Oath of Enlistment was developed during the Revolutionary War when the Continental Congress established different oaths for the enlisted men and officers of the Continental Army. The first Oath of Enlistment under the Constitution was approved by an Act of Congress on 29 September 1789. It applied to all commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted Soldiers in the United States military.
The Commissioning Ceremony represents the culmination of years of hard work and dedication and marks the transformation from Cadet to Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. During the commissioning ceremony, cadets hear from distinguished military leaders from the U.S. Army or other keynote speakers, and take the Oath of the Commissioned Officer, a tradition dating back to the Continental Army era. Commissioning is a monumental event attended by the Cadets, Cadre, family, friends, university officials, and distinguished guests.
An MSU Army ROTC Tradition
The Department of Military Science at Michigan Agricultural College was founded during the school year 1884-85. One of the many traditions established since the program's development is the Military Ball, an annual formal dinner-dance hosted by the Spartan Battalion and the Department of Military Science. The Ball evolved from military "hops" which were organized by the Michigan Agricultural College Officers' Association and were held each term during the early 1900's. In 1909, Cadets were required for the first time to wear their uniforms to the hops. This gave the affairs a distinctly military flair and dramatically distinguished them from other formal social functions on-campus.
In the fall of 1920, the custom of electing coed "sponsors" for Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps was established. Sponsors were formally "crowned" at the winter Coronation Ball, making it the most important social event of the year.
During the early 1970's, with the admission of women into the Army ROTC Program, the sponsor coronations ended and the MSU Military Ball assumed its current form. Today, it serves not only as a premiere campus social event, but also as part of the Cadets' formal education on customs and traditions of the military service.
The Spartan Battalion annually confers an array of distinguished honors, encompassing medals, ribbons, certificates, and endowment scholarships to commend cadets for exemplary military, academic, athletic, and personal merit. These accolades are generously sponsored by the United States Army, prominent national and local societies, civic organizations, and private benefactors.
