To honor the Marine Corps’ first African-American officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Command offers the Frederick C. Branch Leadership Scholarship to students attending any one of 17 participating historically black colleges and universities. A board of four MCRC officers awarded 15 four-year Branch Scholarships April 26 to highly qualified men and women attending a participating school. - To honor the Marine Corps’ first African-American officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Command offers the Frederick C. Branch Leadership Scholarship to students attending any one of 17 participating historically black colleges and universities. A board of four MCRC officers awarded 15 four-year Branch Scholarships April 26 to highly qualified men and women attending a participating school.