Section II history and tradition



Download 30.03 Kb.
Date05.08.2017
Size30.03 Kb.
#26549
SECTION II
HISTORY AND TRADITION

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.



History of Rotc
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.


Cadet Command’s shoulder patch (pictured left) was authorized 28

April 1986. The shield symbolizes the Army’s mission of national defense and

is divided into quarters representing the four traditional military science

courses comprising the senior ROTC curriculum. The sword signifies the

courage, gallantry, and self-sacrifice intrinsic to the profession of arms. The

lamp denotes the pursuit of knowledge, higher learning, and the partnership of

Army ROTC with colleges and universities. The Greek helmet is symbolic of the ancient civilization concept of the warrior scholar. The motto “Leadership Excellence” expresses the ultimate responsibility of Army ROTC in the discharge of its duty to the Nation.


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.
T
HE 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 MIDDLE YEARS 1900 – 1945
The equipment was again updated in 1900 with 300 rifles, 27 swords, national colors, signal equipment, band instruments for 30, and a 12-pound smooth bore cannon. The cadet uniform was modified to allow the wear of white trousers and white linen collars. The corps was a magnificent sight when they formed on the lawn of Old Main for the annual inspection by the War Department. The band played, the cadets passed in review and the day concluded with an inspection in ranks. The cadets always received high marks.

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.


In 1920, Sergeant Jack Greathouse, a veteran of World War I joined the faculty of ROTC and became quite a legend. Easily recognized by all students on campus, he was rarely seen without his large pipe clenched between his teeth. He would serve at the University for over 20 years before retiring. He came out of retirement to serve as interim PMS when the staff was depleted during the start of WWII in 1942. In 1927, LT H.O. Lane guided the ROTC rifle team to the first of three consecutive National Championships capturing the William Randolph Hearst Trophy in 1927, 1928, and 1929. The ROTC program would add National Championships in 1944 and 1957.




THE CURRENT YEARS 1946 – PRESENT

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.

Razorback Brigade”

CADET COMMANDERS




During change of leadership ceremonies conducted during the Fall and Spring, the CPT Paul Long Memorial Saber is presented to the Razorback Brigade Cadet Commander. The saber belonged to Captain Paul Long and upon his death in December of 1982, the family presented the saber to be passed to Cadet Commander’s during changes of command and for use in ceremonial formations conducted throughout the school year.




1871-1983
The records for 1871 thru 1983 are being

Researched and will be made a part of this

history at a later date.
1983-1989

Scott Porter Spring 1983


William Wiseman Fall 1983

Kenneth Jeffery Spring 1984


Andrew Lucas Fall 1984

David Witty Spring 1985


Kimberly Cox Fall 1985

Joseph Wilson Spring 1986

Barry Martin Fall 1986

William Vertrees Spring 1987

Christopher Cox Fall 1987

Matthew Scott Spring 1988

Gregory Pelt Fall 1989
1990-1995

David Wood Spring 1990


Michael Anderson Fall 1990

Sean Gavan Spring 1991

Vixen James Fall 1991

Kevin Balisky Spring 1992

George Johnson Fall 1992

Randy Crawford Spring 1993

Ronald MacKay Fall 1993

Richard Collins Spring 1994

Joseph Pullen Fall 1994
Craig Vieth Spring 1995


1995-2000
Eric Carter Fall 1995

Matthew Loach Spring 1996

Daniel Griffith Fall 1996

Micah Bell Spring 1997

Mark Cramer Fall 1997

Mark Cramer Spring 1998

Kyle Marcrum Fall 1998

Lee Evans Spring 1999

Jonathan Massey Fall 1999
Matthew Freede Spring 2000


2000-2005
Dustin Bishop Fall 2000

Eric Ladd Spring 2001

Jordan May Fall 2001

Joshua Joplin Spring 2002

Steve Carmichael Fall 2002

Samuel Baker Spring 2003




II -




Download 30.03 Kb.

Share with your friends:




The database is protected by copyright ©ininet.org 2024
send message

    Main page