The Bear Battalion, Missouri State Army ROTC

Welcome to the Bear Battalion, MAJ Kris Candelaria! 🐻

MAJ Candelaria joins the Bears with 15 years of Active Duty as an Infantry Officer, and a career full of challenging missions, big lessons, and even bigger leadership moments.

Some of his roles include: Airborne Infantry Platoon Leader | 501st Battalion, 4/25th (JBER, Alaska)
Team Leader | 5th SFAB (JBLM, Washington)
Squadron Executive Officer | 1st Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment (Fort Hood, Texas)

He’s served across some of the Army’s most iconic posts—Fort Benning, JBER, Fort Bliss, JBLM, Fort Leavenworth, and Fort Hood—and each stop sharpened how he mentors, develops leaders, and builds teams that function together and win together.

MAJ C is a foodie at heart (yes, we’re asking what’s his go-to spot 👀). He also loves to hunt, fish, run, and travel.

MAJ C is fired 🔥up to pour his experience into the ROTC program, especially the MSIII class, and helping grow the next generation of Army leaders.

Help us give MAJ Candelaria a warm welcome! 🐻

🎖️ Cadet Spotlight: Mackenzie Wilson 🐻

CDT Mackenzie Wilson just wrapped Army ROTC Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox, KY. With CST conquered, her commissioning is on the horizon next. Keep showing us how it’s done CDT Wilson and congratulations!
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It’s which means it’s time to meet this year’s MSII Instructor, SFC Jason Brower!
SFC Brower is heading into his 3rd year as a seasoned Cadre member at the Bear Battalion. He is a Florida native with 16+ years in the Army and has done some epic overseas moves from Vicenza, Italy to Tokyo, Japan. He has also completed 13 years as Infantry (11B) before switching to Air Defense Artillery (14G). SFC Brower is ALL IN on developing future Army officers and loves seeing cadets grow into bold leaders. Off duty, he is a master of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and coaches youth wrestling.
We’re grateful for SFC Brower and the time he’s already poured into the cadets of the Bear Battalion and we’re excited for another great year with him on the team!

Captain Lucille Givens, a Branson native, joins the Bear Battalion as the new Assistant Professor of Military Science (APMS). From Branson, MO to her commissioning at Mizzou in 2018, CPT Givens brings 8 years of active-duty experience and a diverse portfolio of roles including Battalion S1, Aide-de-C camp, and Executive Officer.

She’s BACK in ROTC, inspired by her husband, who commissioned through the Bear Battalion in 2016, and by the outstanding Mizzou Cadre who helped shape her Army path. Off the clock, CPT Givens channels her leadership into yoga, as a licensed instructor. 🧘🏼‍♀️

Welcome back to Missouri and welcome to the Bear Battalion, CPT Givens!

Congratulations to CDT Dyer on her enlistment today as an ROTC 09R SMP in the Missouri Army National Guard! 🇺🇸

CDT Dyer is an incoming freshman at Missouri State University and has already taken a huge step toward her future goal of becoming a Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) pilot. We’re excited to have her join the Bear Battalion and look forward to watching her grow as a leader, Soldier, and future Army Aviator.

Way to represent the Bear Battalion and the 🚁🐻
national.guard

Congratulations to Cadet Lange on successfully completing the prestigious Army Air Assault School! This achievement reflects exceptional discipline, physical toughness, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence.

We’re proud to see Cadet Lange representing the with professionalism and determination. The Air Assault Badge is earned—not given—and stands as a testament to hard work and perseverance.

Keep leading from the front and setting the standard. Well done!

Senior Spotlight: ✨Mackenzie Wilson✨

Major:
Psychology

Free time:
I like to read and hammock in my free time

Fun fact:
I lived in Japan between the ages of 5 and 6

Favorite memory:
The road trip up to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas for the staff ride. We were goofin off the whole drive, it was the best.

Miss most:
Thee tight bond I have with my seniors

Advice to cadets:
1. It is imperative that you stay resilient, even when times get hard and it seems easier to quit.
2. Pull the good from the bad
3. Live for today, because tomorrow is not promised.
4. Roll with the punches.

⚜️Almost LT⚜️