A Proud History-A Bright Future
The Rutgers The State University of New Jersey ROTC Battalion has been proud to help
develop the leaders of tomorrow.
ROTC History
The Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), as it exists today, began
with President Wilson signing the National Defense Act of 1916. Although
military training had been taking place in civilian colleges and universities
as early as 1819, the signing of the National Defense Act brought this training
under single, federally-controlled entity: The Reserve Officers' Training
Corps.
Rutgers Queens Guard
The Queens Guard was formed in 1957 as an extracurricular activity and
quickly gained widespread recognition for its unusually precise drill
movements. Over the next 35 years, the team dominated intercollegiate
competition, winning many U.S. national championships, and traveled the world
to represent the United States at more than 12 prestigious international
exhibitions throughout Scotland, England, Wales, Canada, Australia, New
Zealand, France, and Germany.
ROTC Today
Army ROTC is the largest officer-producing organization with the American
military, having commissioned more than half a million second lieutenants since
its inception. Women have been an integral part of the Army ROTC since
school year 1972-1973. The first group of females from ROTC was
commissioned in school year 1975-1976. Today, women constitute 20 percent
of the Corps of Cadets and more that 15 percent of each commissioning
cohort.
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