In 1891, the University
of Arizona was allowed to open its doors under provisions of the
1885 Morril Act. These provisions were regulated by the Legislative
Assembly of the Territory of Arizona and required that military
training be taught there. The first University Catalogue provided
for the position of Professor of Military Science and Tactics;
however, no classes were conducted.
In March of 1896, the faculty resolved that a course in Military
Science and Tactics be conducted for all male students. During this
first year, it was planned that the Cadet Battalion be affiliated
with the Arizona Territorial National Guard. This permitted the
Territorial Governor to commission those cadets who desired and were
worthy of a National Guard Commission.
In 1920, the establishment of
Cavalry instruction transformed the program into a close
relationship with the University administrators, students, and
intercollegiate sports. Cavalry instruction provided horses for the
popular college sport of polo. Cavalry instruction and polo proved
extremely poplar with the Arizona community and the University.
In the fours years that followed the outbreak of World War II,
11,000 military men received training at the University of Arizona
in four different programs. The University reported in 1945, over
10,000 men graduated from the Naval Training School; 591 from the
Naval Aviation School; 283 from the Army Specialized Training
Program, and 331 from the Civil Aeronautic Authority's two programs.
Turn of the Century- Dorm Rooms at South Hall
This accounting does
not include regular ROTC program enrollments which steadily declined
in strength through out the war years due to the enlistment of much
of the school’s male population.
In 1947, the U.S. Congress reorganized the structure of the armed
forces with the result that the Army Air Corps became a separate
federal department: The Department of the Air Force. With the
addition of Navy ROTC in 1984, the organization of military science
departments at the University of Arizona was established as it is
today.
On 30 November 1968, the Arizona State Board of Regents
considered the motion to make ROTC voluntary, and elected to do so
in 1969. Military instruction had remained mandatory for two years
for every male student up until this date. Prior to this decision,
the University of Arizona Army ROTC was the largest program west of
the Mississippi River.
The present school
shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 22 April 1977. The
Department of Military Science moved into the present building at
South Hall in September 1987. Today, Army ROTC at the University of
Arizona continues to set the standard within the Region, and
continues the proud tradition of military leadership and
instruction.
In 1891, the University
of Arizona was allowed to open its doors under provisions of the
1885 Morril Act. These provisions were regulated by the Legislative
Assembly of the Territory of Arizona and required that military
training be taught there. The first University Catalogue provided
for the position of Professor of Military Science and Tactics;
however, no classes were conducted. 
In 1920, the establishment of
Cavalry instruction transformed the program into a close
relationship with the University administrators, students, and
intercollegiate sports. Cavalry instruction provided horses for the
popular college sport of polo. Cavalry instruction and polo proved
extremely poplar with the Arizona community and the University.
This accounting does
not include regular ROTC program enrollments which steadily declined
in strength through out the war years due to the enlistment of much
of the school’s male population.
The present school
shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 22 April 1977. The
Department of Military Science moved into the present building at
South Hall in September 1987. Today, Army ROTC at the University of
Arizona continues to set the standard within the Region, and
continues the proud tradition of military leadership and
instruction.