History and Alumni

Please click here to open a booklet on the history of Cleveland ROTC.

John Carroll University established a Transportation Corps unit of the ROTC in 1950. The Military Science building was constructed on the University campus and the first classes were held in September 1950. From 1950 until 1969, the Basic ROTC course was mandatory at JCU. Today ROTC provides Officer leaders to our all volunteer Army.

Since the first Cadet was sworn in as a Second Lieutenant in June 1951, more than 2,000 Cadets have been commissioned in either the Army Reserve, National Guard or the Regular Army.

In September 1969, students were given an option of taking either two years of physical education or the Basic ROTC course.

Highlights of the last 66 years of Cleveland ROTC include:

• 1950  The ROTC program is established at John Carroll University
• 1951  Pershing Rifles started on campus
• 1964  ROTC Vitalization Act of 1964 authorized financial assistance in the form of scholarships
• 1972  Women were permitted to join ROTC
• 1973  US Army became an all-volunteer force
• 1976  JCU commissioned its first female Second Lieutenant
• 1978  Transportation Corps affiliation ends; ROTC Military Science for all branches begins
• 1979  Cleveland State University ROTC program begins
• 2012  Case Western Reserve University reestablishes ROTC program after banning it in 1970
• 2016  Women approved to serve alongside men in combat arms units