The citizen soldier holds a significant role in the defense of the nation. From the Revolutionary War to today, much of America’s defense mission rests with its citizen soldiers. Army ROTC is part of this proud, time-honored tradition.

The establishment of American Literary, Scientific, and Military Academy (later renamed Norwich University) Norwich, Vermont, in 1819 marks the origin of Army ROTC. Norwich, unlike the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, was a civilian educational institution. The idea of educating men on a broad scale did not occur until 1862.

The Morrill Act of 1862 offered to transfer ownership of federal lands to the states. The states could then use the proceeds from the land sale to establish universities. These universities were to teach agriculture, mechanical arts, and military science. The University of Arkansas was formed under the Morrill Act in 1871 as a land grant institution.

The National Defense Act of 1916 formally created a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and provided increased support for campus training programs and summer camps. The reserve components’ success in World War I led to the National Defense Act of 1920, which enlarged and standardized the ROTC program. This allowed the Army to rely more heavily on ROTC as a source for trained reserve officers. In 1964, the ROTC Revitalization Act added flexibility to all ROTC programs. It formalized most of the program options offered today: the four-year program, two-year program, scholarships and subsistence allowances.

To commemorate the formation of Cadet Command Headquarters at Fort Monroe, Virginia, cadets from universities, colleges, and high schools in the Hampton Roads area gather for an annual review. The cadets symbolize their counterparts around the nation and the world, training to be the future officer leaders of the Nation, and in the case of the high school cadets, learning the tenets of superior Citizenship. Guest speaker for the inaugural review was Maurice (Footsie) Britt, Medal of Honor Winner and two-time lieutenant governor of Arkansas (ROTC commissionee, University of Arkansas).

ROTC at the University of Arkansas

The Arkansas General Assembly accepted the Morrill Act provisions and created the Arkansas Industrial University (now the University of Arkansas) on 27 March 1871, on the site of Merchant William McIlroy’s Farm in Fayetteville. Military training began that same year.

THE EARLY YEARS 1871 – 1900:  In 1873, the War Department detailed Lieutenant E.S. Curtis an Artillery Officer and West Point graduate to supervise military training at the newly established university. LT Curtis served from 1872 until 1875 training the corps that had grown to 120 young men by 1875. During his tenure, he implemented the first series of regulations to provide for the organization of the "Arkansas Industrial University Cadets". They drilled two times a week and attended lectures when poor weather prevailed. In 1872 the board of trustees prescribed a uniform which consisted of a cadet gray coat and trousers with scarlet trimming and a dark blue cap ornamented with the letters AIU enclosed in a silver wreath. When the commandant in 1875 reported that only one sixth of cadets had uniforms due to the high cost and drilled only in their civilian attire with cadet cap, (a full uniform cost $50.25) the trustees changed the uniform to one with black piping costing much less ($15.00 by 1900). A uniform is on display for viewing at the University Museum.

The program received its first weapons in 1873 with the issue of 160 out of date muskets. The weapons were part of a colorful past in 1874 during what became known as the "Brooks-Baxter War". The conflict between newly elected governor of Arkansas Elisha Baxter and his defeated opponent Joseph Brooks began when Brooks contested the election results fifteen months after the inauguration and the Pulaski County Circuit Court declared him governor. Brooks along with an angry mob commandeered the statehouse in Little Rock and Baxter called out the state militia to retaliate. Brooks supporters raided the University of Arkansas armory, seizing the cadets’ muskets. The muskets were transported down the Arkansas River and were returned only after President U.S. Grant and the Arkansas General Assembly brought the war to a halt.

Upon LT Curtis’ departure in 1875, the position remained vacant until 1887. Under the auspices of two professors from the Mathematics Department -- O. C. Gray, a former officer in the Confederate Army, and J. M. Witham, a graduate of the US Naval Academy, military training continued during the 12-year period. Training was conducted in the north wing basement (ROTC Armory) of Old Main newly completed in 1875. The cadets held their first competitive drill meet in June of 1886. The equipment was updated with the arrival of Springfield rifles in 1892, along with waist belts, cartridge boxes and bayonets. Many students completed the military training in the early years, however commissions were not conferred until 1908.

The passage of the National Defense Act of 1916 created the Reserve Officers Training Corps. Major C. F. Armistead, former commandant, returned to the University to become the first officer at the University of Arkansas to hold the title of Professor of Military Science and Tactics. In 1917 the United States entered World War I. A Student Army Training Corps substituted for ROTC during its suspension in World War I. Following WWI, Major K. M. Halpine reactivated the Program in 1919.

From the end of WWII until present the Army ROTC program has continued to train students to become officers. In the fall of 1969, military training at the University of Arkansas became elective rather than compulsory. Army ROTC opened to women in 1973 and two young ladies became the first female lieutenants commissioned through the University of Arkansas Army ROTC in 1977. Today’s cadets are involved in all aspects of campus and community life. They continue to carry on the strong and proud traditions that began in 1871. Over 2,000 graduates of this institution have been commissioned in our Armed Forces. The Military Science Department has many success stories in its long history.

The most significant honor of the program is that five graduates of the University of Arkansas have received the nation’s highest military decoration: the Congressional Medal of Honor. They are: Nathan C. Gordon, Lieutenant, USNR, 1939; Maurice L. Britt, Captain, Infantry, 1941; James L. Stone, Lieutenant, Infantry, 1941; Edgar H. "Buck" Lloyd, Lieutenant, Infantry, 1941 (awarded posthumously) and Seymour W. Terry, Captain, Infantry, 1943 (awarded posthumously). Gordon and Britt were members of the Razorback Football team and would later go on to serve as Lieutenant Governors of the State of Arkansas. All of these individuals distinguished themselves above and beyond the call of duty and are recognized along with all veterans each Veteran’s Day at a wreath laying ceremony conducted by the cadets in their honor near the flagpole on the east lawn of Old Main.