This is Where Leaders are Born – Bay State Leads the Way

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Devens Public Affairs

January 10, 2022

Bay State Battalion is the highest performing ROTC program in the nation based on the aggregate average received at the end of Cadet Summer Training in 2021.

“Cadet Summer Training is the crux of a cadet’s ROTC experience. It happens during the summer between their junior and senior year of college at Fort Knox, Kentucky,” said Master Sergeant Alan Sutton, Senior Military Science Instructor for Bay State Battalion.

Over the course of six weeks at CST, cadets are evaluated on individual training tasks, leadership attributes and competencies while serving in varying leadership positions. At the end of CST 2021, Bay State Battalion Cadets returned amazing scores, with 42% of them rated at Outstanding, 42% rated as Excellent, and 16% rated as Proficient. Overall, the platoon ranked 11 in the nation.

Cadets work diligently year-round during their drills in preparation for CST. They train hard in physical fitness, leadership laboratories and field training exercises. The weekend drills are run and planned by cadets, with juniors and seniors leading the newer cadets. This style of training teaches the cadets about leadership and camaraderie.

Bay State Battalion is headquartered at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and draws cadets from 11 of the Worcester Consortium colleges, as well as throughout central Massachusetts. Bay State Battalion proudly trains 90-120 cadets each year.

Bay State Battalion proudly calls USAG Fort Devens their home base. In early 2020 Fort Devens established a partnership with Bay State Battalion and allowed them a permanent footprint within the main post of Fort Devens. This new meeting location became integral during COVID-19 by offering the Battalion a safe place to train. Going to Fort Devens during drills is one of the only times many cadets get to see and experience real Army life.

“We are honored to support our local cadets and excited to see them grow to become the leaders of tomorrow. Cadets learn a great deal during their weekly and summer training, and Bay State Battalion has proved to train some of the best and brightest.” said Lieutenant Colonel Trent R. Colestock, garrison commander.

The WPI ROTC is a leadership development program that culminates with the cadets commissioning as second lieutenants. To find out more about the program, visit their webpage at https://www.goarmy.com/rotc/schools/worcester-polytechnic-institute/about.html

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Devens provides premier training capabilities and base operations support to the Total Force in New England.

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