| History of ROTC |
| ROTC stands for Reserve Officers' Training Corps. The origins of military instruction in civilian colleges date back to 1819 when CPT Alden Partridge founded the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy in Northfield, Vermont, know today as Norwich University. In 1862, Congress recognized the need for military training at civilian educational institutions. The Morrill Land Grant Act was enacted to fulfill this need. This Act donated land and money to establish colleges, which would provide practical instruction in agriculture, mechanical, and military sciences. |
| The United States Army Reserve Officer' Training Corps as we know it today dates from the National Defense Act of 1916. World War I prevented the full development of civilian educators and military professionals working together. At the conclusion of WWI, the program was fully implemented on college campuses. The success of this effort was demonstrated in WWII, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War. College campuses provided quality officers to meet the rapidly expanding needs of mobilization. In 1964, the ROTC Vitalization Act improved the program by adding scholarships and expanding junior ROTC opportunities. The inclusion of women into the program in 1972 was another important milestone. |
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| Today, Army ROTC can be found at over three hundred host schools across the country, as well as at hundreds of extension centers and cross-enrolled schools. |
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