Teaching The Leaders Of Tomorrow

"Huskies Lead the Way!” is the motto of the Huskie Battalion, Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC).  Since its establishment by Department of the Army General Order number 81 on 17 December 1968, the Huskie Battalion has commissioned over 400 cadets as Second Lieutenants.

Northern Illinois University granted the ROTC program departmental status as the Department of Military Science in 1969.  Initially, Wheaton College served as the host institution for NIU’s Battalion, with Lieutenant Colonel Raymond R. Huntington, Infantry, assigned as Professor of Military Science for NIU.  The Department’s offices were originally located at 235 Normal Road, and were moved to Williston Hall on 2 July 1969.

When classes began on 15 September 1969, a total of 83 cadets were enrolled.  At that time, a total of 10 credit hours were awarded for Military Science courses.  That year’s enrollment of 83 cadets resulted in the first commissioning of 16 officers in the Spring of 1971.

In 1983, the Military Science Department became an academic department within the College of Professional Studies.  A minor in Military Science was approved in 1986.  The Department’s curriculum expanded to 28 academic credit hours with up to 4 additional credit hours available in Physical Education.  In 1995, The College of Professional Studies became the Department of Health and Human Sciences.  Also in that year, the Military Science Department moved to 520 College View Court. In 2004 the Military Science Department moved to its current location in the Chick Evans Field House. The Huskie Battalion takes pride in the success of their scholar, athlete, and leader cadets both past, present, and future.  The battalion continues to grow every year and sets high standards.  The future is bright for the Huskie Battalion and its cadets.

The Huskie Battalion is proud of its program and of the cadets who have served our nation in times of peace and in times of war.

The ROTC Faculty has a wide variety of military experience and backgrounds.  This enhances the instructor’s mission to provide quality instruction, training, and counseling feedback to all of our students. Read more….

Here's where you can learn about the ROTC experience from motivated students just like you. Read more...

One of the best ways to see if Army ROTC is right for you is to learn how alumni have benefited from the experience. Read more...