ELSEWHERE,
ROTC MARCHES ON
POLITICALLY SENSITIVE IVY
League schools many have produced
only a handful of newly minted offi cers
for the military last year. But overall,
ROTC continues to keep the nation
supplied with military leadership.
Despite ongoing wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan and the tepid support
from many elite schools, ROTC
CAMPUS WIDE The
develops 39 percent of the offi cers
ROTC was kicked
across all military branches except the
out of Columbia
Coast Guard.
(right), Princeton
Just over 55 percent of the Army
offi cers and 11 percent of Marine Corps
(left), and Harvard
brass, 20 percent of Navy offi cers, and
(above), where
41 percent of Air Force leaders come
protesters of the
from ROTC programs.
ROTC took over Army ROTC alone has resident
the administration teaching faculty at 270 universities
building in 1969.
nationwide.
And through the years, there
have been some distinguished and
memorable cohorts:
ted that, regardless of their personal McCain and Barack Obama chided
The fi rst ROTC group of 133 cadets
opinions, Cornell ROTC is bound to the university for keeping ROTC off
received their commissions in 1920.
In 1969 and 1970, at the height of
enforce ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ because, of the campus.
the Vietnam War and with the need for
they are ‘just following orders.’ This The pro-ROTC comments of both
new offi cers paramount, more than
response is unacceptable in an aca- candidates were met with jeers. 16,500 second lieutenants received
demic setting, and is just one exam- Clearly, the mind-set of the Ivy
their gold bars through Army ROTC,
GES
ple of how ROTC does not belong at League has evolved many times
the largest commissioning in the
TY IMA
nation’s history.
a world-class research university.” since 1898, when Spain declared war
GET
Women were accepted into Army
When students petitioned on the United States and Harvard
ROTC in 1972. The fi rst group of 150
AMA/
Columbia three years ago to permit man Teddy Roosevelt asked the females was commissioned in 1976.
/MARIO T
ROTC back on campus, universi- Department of War for permission
Women traditionally constitute 20
T
C
ty President Lee Bollinger said the to raise what was to become one of
percent of ROTC cadets and more
than 15 percent of new second
“Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy consti- the most storied military regiments
GES / RO lieutenants and ensigns. — D.E.
tuted discrimination against homo- in American history.
TY IMA
sexuals and nixed the move. On July 1, 1898, Roosevelt on horse-
GET
./
O
But the rift between the Ivy League back led his Rough Riders, including
and a vital segment of the leadership several enthusiastic volunteers from
elite of America’s military may be the playing fi elds of the Ivy League,
ORK TIMES C
narrowing. The continuing war on in a wild charge up Kettle Hill.
terror and a growing emphasis on After that hill was captured,
national service and civic engage- Roosevelt, now on foot, led a second
VERMAN/NEW Y
ment among young people is push- charge up the San Juan Heights.
T
ON SIL
AR
ing Bollinger and other Ivy League He was to receive the coveted
administrators to reconsider their Congressional Medal of Honor for
L
UMBIA/B
positions, ROTC proponents note. his heroism.
O
Both political parties also back It’s safe to guess that, if Roosevelt
a full return of ROTC programs to were asked whether the Ivy League
the Ivy League. At a candidate forum should embrace the ROTC once
NO BIT PART 39 percent of all
/
AP IMAGES / C
that ServiceNation sponsored at again fully and unreservedly, he
military offi cers, except the
V
ARD
Coast Guard, come from ROTC.
HAR Columbia in September, both John would reply, simply: “Bully!”
DECEMBER 2008 / NEWSMAX 27
0026_AM_IvyLeagueROTC.indd 2726_AM_IvyLeagueROTC.indd 27 111/7/08 3:54:52 PM1/7/08 3:54:52 PM
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