EIU Department of Military Science

A proud history - a bright future

The Eastern Illinois University ROTC Battalion has been proud to help develop the leaders of tomorrow.

Commissioned Second Lieutenants to Date

The Panther Battalions has commissioned 368 Second Lieutenants into the US Army over the last 32 years.  Of the 16 branches offered to cadets, Infantry has been the most popular with our alumni followed by the Signal Corps and Armor.

Military History

Our Cadets display a strong appreciation for the history of the United States military with academic courses and hands on experiences.  The Panther Battalion has sponsored trips to military museums, Army posts, and battlefields.  Also, the department pairs with the Eastern Illinois University History Department to offer a Military History course for credit to cadets and students alike.  During their senior year, cadets will participate in a Battle Analysis as part of their Military Science class, where they break down a specific battle to show strategy, goals, and actions.