Book Description

The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) has a proud tradition of service to this country. The national Defense Act of 1916 established the need for a reserve corps. Initially, the program produced a small number of officers. With the passage of the Morrill Act, Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs were established on college campuses throughout the country. The majority of Army Officers who served during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam were graduates of the ROTC program. Today, the Reserve Officer's training Corps produces almost 80% of active duty Army Officers. The caliber of Active duty personnel assigned to ROTC duty has continually improved. Today's ROTC programs are producing outstanding young officers who are college educated and trained to lead soldiers in combat. The future for Army ROTC in America is bright. The establishment of The Reserve Officers' Training Corps Cadet Command as a two-star command is nothing short of revolutionary in its implications of the future of Army ROTC. Information for this paper was gathered using a review of the literature, my experiences as an ROTC cadet, two tours of duty as an ROTC instructor, and discussions with key personnel and students involved in the ROTC Program.