About the Pride of PA Battalion

​The Pride of Pennsylvania is a Senior Army ROTC Battalion based in Erie, Pennsylvania.  The host school for the Battalion is Gannon University, satellite schools are Mercyhurst University and Penn State Behrend, all three are located in the city of Erie.  There are a similar number of cadets participating in ROTC at each of these schools on any given year and each of the schools are only a short drive from the others.  This physical proximity allows for numerous shared training events throughout the year which bolsters the training capacity of the battalion as a whole.  Despite this, each of the schools is considered to be its own company and there is a friendly rivalry between the three companies.  Many of the day-to-day ROTC activities take place within the company, especially for younger Cadets, and travel between schools is infrequent until Junior and Senior years. 

A Day in the Life of a Pride of PA Cadet

For Cadets in the Pride of PA Battalion there are a few major obligations and many opportunities to become more engaged in ROTC.  Mandatory events are outlined below (subject to change and variation based on instructors):
  • Class
    • Time: During normal school hours (varies by class and school); Tuesday and Thursday
    • Frequency: Once or twice a week
    • Length: One hour
    • Uniform: Operational Camouflage Patterm (OCP)
  • Physical Training (PT)
    • Time: Approximately 0545 - 0700; Monday, Wednesday, Friday
    • Frequency:
      • Non-Contracted: Attend as many possible 
      • Contracted: All sessions mandatory
    • Length: Roughly one hour
    • Uniform: Army Physical Fitness Uniform (APFU)
  • Labs
    • Time: Varies; Wednesdays 
    • Frequency: Every other week 
    • Length: Two hours 
    • Uniform: OCPs; Assigned packing list
  • Field Training Exercises (FTXs)
    • Time: Weekend (Thursday to Sunday)  
    • Frequency: Once a semester
    • Length: 4 days 
    • Uniform: OCPs; Assigned packing list

For more information on ROTC related activities, use the INVOLVEMENT tab above.

History

​The United States Army established the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at Gannon University in the fall of 1948 with the mission of developing and commissioning future leaders in the United States Army.  The first graduating class of Cadets, consisting entirely of veterans, commissioned in 1950.
 
     Gannon University initially required that the basic ROTC course be mandatory for all physically and mentally fit students. The ROTC program existed only for the Military Police Corps until 1954 when it became a General Military Science curriculum.  In 1969, the ROTC Basic course became an elective available for all freshmen and sophomore students.  Beginning in 1970, the Military Science Department initiated cross enrollment with other Erie area colleges establishing offices at Allegheny College, Edinboro University, Mercyhurst College, and Penn State Erie - The Behrend College.
 
     In the 1990s, Mercyhurst College (Mercyhurst University as of January 23, 2012) and Penn State Erie-The Behrend College officially joined the Gannon ROTC program which now enjoys the equaled support of all three local institutions of higher learning in the Erie area. 
 
     Since its establishment, the “Pride of PA” Military Science program has graduated and commissioned over 1,200 officers, with nine ascending to the General Officer ranks.  In recognition of the program’s consistently high quality, the Battalion proudly carries the title, “Pride of PA” and the Battalion motto is,
 
 “I WILL DO MY DUTY!”-“TRAIN TO LEAD!”
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Pride of PA Hall of Fame

In the Spring of 2016, along with broader celebration of Army ROTC's 100th anniversary, the Pride of PA founded a Battalion Hall of Fame.  The Officers that are inducted into this select group have demonstrated excellence in leadership and character in all aspects of their lives.  They truly are the pride of PA.

​Brigadier General (Retired) Ernest S. Ellis

BG Ellis enlisted in in 1943 and began a thirty-four-year career with the Army.  He served as an enlisted military police soldier in the European Theater of WWII.  Following that conflict, BG Ellis began studies at Gannon University.  In 1951, he graduated with a degree in Business Administration and commissioned as a second lieutenant.

As an officer, BG Ellis served both overseas and back in PA with the Army Reserve.  His most prominent assignment was as the Deputy Commander, 99th ARCOM.  He retired from the Army in 1982 and earned numerous awards over a long and distinguished career.
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After leaving the service, BG Ellis acted as a senior mentor to Officers in PA and as Director of the Gannon University Physical Plant for twenty-years.

​Colonel (Retired) Joseph J. Gaeta

COL Gaeta was commissioned as a second lieutenant after he graduated from Gannon University in 1962 with a degree in Business Administration.  Over his thirty-year career COL Gaeta served both at home and abroad; his final assignment was as the Executive Officer, 300th Transportation Group.

In addition to his service to the country, COL Gaeta has worked tirelessly in support of Gannon University and the Military Science Department.  He is a co-founder of the Gannon Athletics Booster Club and has been a member of it for over forty years.
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Some of his many military and civilian awards are: Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Medal, and Gannon University’s Distinguished Service Award.