A Proud History-A Bright Future
The University of Rhode Island ROTC Battalion has been proud to help
develop the leaders of tomorrow.
Army ROTC at the University of Rhode Island over the years
The Army ROTC Battalion on the URI campus originated from the military
training unit established in 1894 by Captain William W. Wetherspoon, later
Chief of Staff of the United States Army. Under the provisions of the Morrill
Act of 1862, more familiarly known as the Land Grant Act, State Colleges set up
military training units to prepare the college students for leadership in the
event of a national emergency. In 1920, the unit was redesignated as the
Reserve Officers Training Corps in compliance with the National Defense Act of
1920.
Starting with a unit consisting of fourteen men in 1894, the unit grew to
approximately 1500 cadets during the time ROTC was mandatory for freshman and
sophomore students. The unit was organized into a brigade of three battalions
consisting of three companies each and one provisional battalion consisting of
the junior training company, Kingston Rangers, the ROTC Band and the Drill
Team.
An Infantry Branch material unit was instituted with military instruction in
1894. Subsequently, Quartermaster and Engineer branch units were incorporated
into the program in 1943 and 1951 respectively. Presently, all branch training
has been terminated and replaced by General Military Science instruction. Full
college credit is received for ROTC courses by all students enrolled.
Since 1919, over 1600 cadets have been awarded commissions in the Active and
Reserve Components of the United States Army. Approximately 25,000 students
have taken basic ROTC courses at the University of Rhode Island during the same
period. Beginning with the academic year 1965-1966, Military Science has been
on a voluntary basis.
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