Battalion History

The East Carolina University ROTC department was started in 1983 as a partnership school with North Carolina State University. In 1997 the Pirate Battalion was activated as an independent program. We have commissioned over 400 lieutenants in our 29 year history. Distinguished officers have commanded battalions in combat and have arisen to the rank of colonel. The size of our commissioning class has been about 14 a year and we are postured for growth. Challenging training remains of key importance as we prepare our Cadets for commissioning. Our Cadets have as many as seven opportunities during the school year to participate in field training exercises. We continue to perform in exceptional manner at the annual Ranger Challenge competition placing either first or second in our Brigade for the past four years. We also perform above the norm in the Leadership Development Course that Cadets attend between their junior and senior years. Four years ago ECU funded the building of a rappel tower at the ECU West Research Campus on the outskirts of Greenville which has continuously provided excellent hands on experience for our cadets.

Our program currently has 99 Cadets (75 men, 24 women) and has almost doubled in size over the past four years. Our most popular major is Criminal Justice along with Nursing, History and majors in the fields of health and human performance.

Our mission remains to commission the future officer leadership of the US Army and motivate young people to be better citizens. The East Carolina University Army ROTC-Pirate Battalion will continue to strive in the development of our cadets to become better citizens.