BE ALL THAT YOU CAN BE, IN THE ARMY AND UAPB!

There’s a reason ROTC Cadets go on to become Generals, Governors, Presidents and CEOs. After Army ROTC, you have what it takes to balance working with both civilians and military personnel, instilling confidence as an officer, a leader, a trainer and a mentor. Scholarships and stipends in Army ROTC help you focus on what’s important. Namely, getting that college degree — not how you’ll pay for it. Whether you’re a college-bound high school student or already attending a college or university, Army ROTC has scholarships available. Scholarships are awarded based on a student’s merit and grades, not financial need.

Two, three, and four year scholarship options based on the time remaining to complete your degree.

Fact Sheet

Scholarships for Nurses

SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS

• U.S. CITIZEN
• AT LEAST 17 YEARS OF AGE
• MEDICALLY QUALIFIED
• CUMULATIVE GPA OF 2.5; ACT SCORE OF 19
• PASS THE ARMY FITNESS TEST

IN STATE
$10,304.00
$12,400.00
$4,800.00
$16,000.00

*$43,504.00

4-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP
TUITION/FEES
RM & BOARD
BOOKS
ALLOWANCES

OUT OF STATE
$32,192.00
$12,400.00
$4,800.00
$16,000.00
$65,392.00

$1,200 yearly book allowance
$600 per semester

Monthly stipend scholarship and contract cadets:

Freshmen $420

Sophomores $420

Juniors $420

Seniors $420

In Army ROTC, you learn to become a LEADER—not just a person who gives orders but a person who leads by example. Being an officer in the U.S. Army means you’re a counselor, a strategist and a motivator. It’s similar to being a vital manager in a corporation. As an officer, you lead other soldiers in all situations and adjust to environments that are always changing. You’ll be driven to achieve success with your team on every mission. Upon arrival at your first duty station you are expected to lead 30-50 soldiers immediately.

History of the Golden Lion Battalion

The Department of the Army established the Reserve Officers Training Corp at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in November 1967. With the first classes held in September 1968. Establishment of the ROTC program fulfilled the statues of the Morrill Act of 1890, which required the University to instruct Military Science. In 1984 the GLBN moved into its current facilities, the James Hazzard Gymnasium, the program is temporarily displaced as the building is undergoing renovations (2023). The program Cadre and Cadets can be found in Dawson-Hicks Hall, home of the School of Education.

Since the establishment of the program, over 600 officers have received their commission through this program. As of the publish date of this document, the highest rank attained by an officer commissioned through the UAPB ROTC program is Lieutenant General (LTG—3 stars) Aundre Piggee who retired after exemplary performance as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army for Logistics, G-4; newly promoted Brigadier General Tomika Seaberry is the second General Officer Commissioned through the GLBN at UAPB, she took command of the 4th Expeditionary Sustainment Command in San Antonio, Texas on December 10, 2022.

The first class that was enrolled had to make up both their Military Science I & Military Science II years (freshman & sophomore) by attending what was known as an Army ROTC summer camp, which was held at Fort Benning, Georgia. Among the first group of cadets was (Ret.) LTC Grover L. Gibson. In an interview, he described his experience in Georgia as that of a regular Army Boot Camp; as he goes on to explain that the company beside his consisted of actual enlisted soldiers going through Boot Camp.

Looking at the program enrollment size post 9/11 you will see that the number of cadets enrolled in the program is drastically different from that of the first decade (more than 1,000). The average number of cadets in the program now ranges between 70 to 100 cadets. “ROTC teaches the skills that employers look for in management – critical thinking, problem solving, team building, leadership theory, time management, communications, physical, mental and spiritual health – more than just Army stuff.”

ROTC teaches, coaches, and mentors students to be leaders. Whether serving in the Reserves or National Guard, or only 4 years on Active Duty, our officers take the ROTC training and apply it to civilian careers in other government agencies – local, state, and Federal, nonprofit, corporate and community organizations.

Women were allowed to enroll into the program in 1972, however, the first group of women commissioned into the United States Army from UAPB did not happen until 1978. The highest ranking female Officers to graduate from UAPB have reached the rank of Colonel, one such distinguished officer is Colonel Karen A. ChipChase, a native of Dermott, Arkansas another is Retired Col. Erica Ingram has had the honor and privilege to serve as first African American female Arkansas Army National Guard Battalion Commander (2014), first African American female National Guard Association of Arkansas (NGAA) president (2014-2015), the first African American female colonel (2018) in the Arkansas National Guard’s 218-year history and first female Camp Robinson Post Installation Commander (2020) and currently serves as the chief of staff for the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs.

The program at UAPB can take a person who has dreams of becoming a dentist and turn that same person into a General. That is the positive impact that the program at UAPB has had on it alumni.

Lieutenant Colonel Nicolai Birch

Lieutenant Colonel Birch was born and raised in Denmark, relocating to Kansas for his senior year in High School. He enlisted into the Army as a 13B FA Soldier in 1994, and commissioned into the Military Police Corps in 2002 with a B.S. in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Sociology from Pittsburg State University, KS. He received a Graduate Degree in Business Management and Security from Webster University, Saint Louis, MO. LTC Birch will assume the Professor of Military Science for the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, Henderson State University, and Ouachita Baptist University during the Month of August 2022.
His previous assignments include Director of Emergency Services, USAG Fort Leonard Wood, MO (FLW MO) 2020-2022; Chief Tactical Maneuver Support/Chief MP Concepts Maneuver Support Center of Excellence FLW, MO 2017-2020; Security Assistance Officer (Radar and Missile portfolio) American Embassy Cairo, Egypt, 2016-2017; S3, 14th MP BDE, FLW, MO 2015-2016; Executive Officer, 795th MP BN, FLW, MO 2014- 2015; Provost Marshal Officer, Contingency Command Post, USARPAC, HI, 2013-2014; Commander, 18th Maneuver Control Team, Hawaii and Afghanistan, 2011-2013; Circulation Control Officer, 45th Sustainment Brigade, Scofield Barracks, HI, 2010-2011; Circulation Control OIC, 484th Movement Control BN, Springfield, MO and Afghanistan 2008-2010; Personnel and Admin Officer (S1), 329th Quartermaster BN, Parsons, KS, 2007-2008; Executive Officer, 603rd MP CO, Belton, MO 2006-2007; Company Commander, 414th MP CO, Joplin, MO and Iraq, 2004-2006; Platoon Leader, 805th MP CO, Afghanistan 2003-2004; Platoon Leader, 414th MP CO, Joplin, MO 2002-2003.

LTC Birch’s deployments include El Salvador for humanitarian assistance; Honduras for humanitarian assistance; Egypt for mobilization support; various locations, Afghanistan where his platoon located and oversaw the disposal of the largest weapons cahe located in the Middle East; Um Quasar and Bagdad, Iraq where his missions included the relocations of Abu Grab, Iraqi court missions, and the security for the #1 detainee; various locations in Afghanistan where he oversaw a $2.16 Billion transportation contract spanning from Afghanistan to the Ports of Karachi, Pakistan; Bagram, Afghanistan where his Company oversaw the retrograde of $ Billions in military equipment and personnel; Brisbane, Australia where he served as the 1st Infantry Division Watch Commander; South Korea, where he served as the Force protection OIC; Diego Garcia, where he oversaw the largest transfer of US Army aviation equipment in and out of Afghanistan during OEF; Pattaya, Thailand where he oversaw the security and transfer of a Division of US Military as well as Thai Soldiers; Tangerang, Indonesia where he provided guidance and training to Indonesia Humanitarian efforts; Cairo, Egypt where he worked with the Egyptian Government and Military conducting Foreign Military Sales with a portfolio of over $3 Billion.

His military education includes the Command and General Staff College, Sparrow Missile repair course, Security Cooperation Management Course, Anti-Terrorism Course, Battle Field Forensics Course, Capability Developers Course, Law Enforcement Senior Leaders Course. He also hold a Missouri Peace Officers License. His military awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal x3, Joint Service Accommodation Medal, Army Commendation Medal x6, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious unit Commendation x2, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal x3, National Defense Service Medal x2, Afghan Campaign Medal x4, Iraq Campaign Medal x2, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon x6, Army Reserve Component Overseas Service Medal x4, Armed Forces Reserve Medal W/ M device & Bronze hour glass, NATO Medal x2, Combat Action Badge and the Bronze Marechaussee Medal.

He is married to the former Allison Fignar from Fort Loudon, PA and has 5 sons, Benjamin & Zachary (11), Joseph (8), Christopher (4), and Robert (2).

Jalina Williams
Jalina Williams serves as the Scholarship and Retention Officer and is the key point of contact to the Professor of Military Science regarding the Recruiting, Scholarships and administration of the Cadet ROTC program. She is the key contributor to the Golden Lion Battalion’s interviewing process for prospective cadets in determining their program eligibility and waiver requirements in order to obtain 2, 3 or 4 year ROTC scholarships. Jalina also serves as the Golden Lion Battalion Liaison to the 5th Brigade and Cadet Command for 3 other surrounding universities. Jalina enlisted in the army in 1989 as a 75B which was a Human Resource Administration Specialist which later switched over to 42A. She retired in 2011, after serving 21 years and 8 months Active Duty as a HR NCO. Jalina is originally from Columbus, Georgia.

Sheila Evans
Sheila Evans was born in Texarkana, Texas, and attended Liberty Eylau High School where she was elected Queen of her Senior Class. A Track Athlete who finished 3rd in the State of Texas in the 400 meters, she attended North Texas State University on a Track & Field Scholarship. She is currently the Administrative Office Manager ROTC Department at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. A devoted mother, she is married to Danny Evans, Sr. and they have three sons: Darrion, Danny Jr., and Desmond.