Teaching The Leaders Of Tomorrow

The U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program is offered by the Military Science Department at Furman University. Graduates of the program are commissioned as Army officers with the rank of Second Lieutenant upon graduation from college. ROTC graduates typically serve four years active duty with the U.S. Army. Cadets can apply for service with the Army Reserve or the Army National Guard in lieu of active duty service.

Furman University’s Army ROTC program was chartered in 1950 as an Armor Unit. During its first 15 years it was a mandatory program for all physically capable freshman and sophomore men. In 1953, the program was redesignated from the Armor Branch to a general branch.

Furman’s patch consists of the school mascot, a Christian Knight, or Paladin, sitting astride a charging stallion. Its color scheme is that of purple and white, signifying the school’s colors. The Paladin is carrying a shield charged with the fleur-de-lis, the symbol of France. The sword at his side signifies courage, gallantry, and self-sacrifice. The paladin was one of the twelve peers of Charlemagne’s court, and suggests the ROTC values of military training, academics and the pursuit of higher learning, and loyalty. It symbolizes the school’s motto, “Christo Et Doctrinae,” Christ and study

Furman’s ROTC program has enjoyed success in numerous extracurricular activities. The program enjoyed unrivaled success during the 1950-60’s in small bore rifle competitions, winning over ten first place victories in local and regional competitions. Currently, the program continues to prosper. The Paladin Battalion has added three significant milestones in its illustrious history in 2000. Cadet Command recognized the superior quality of our cadets, cadre and support from the university by awarding Furman the MacArthur Award as the most outstanding ROTC program in the First Region. The support Furman has always provided as a foundation for our cadets became even more tangible and concrete as the new Bryan Center for Military Science became the battalion’s new home. In this new office space we also celebrated our Golden Anniversary with the first steps toward forming an alumni association who will join the team in preparing the finest officers in the United States Army.

Victory and excellence are time-honored traditions for any Furman cadet; this fact has only become more evident in recent years. With back-to-back Ranger Challenge victories (2005, 2006) and the highest rating at Leadership Development Assessment Course, LDAC, Fort Lewis, WA (Advanced Camp) of any school in the nation, Furman University ROTC promises to build upon and continue its legacy of producing officers of the highest caliber for the people of the United States.

Furman University's core of cadets consists of roughly 50 cadets. Representing many states throughout the nation, the battalion is a diverse group of individuals who learn to function as a team to ensure many fun and challenging tasks are accomplished during their four years at Furman. Senior cadets provide leadership and guidance to the underclassmen thatrely on the higher ranked cadets to teach them all the necessary skills. North Greenville University is an affiliate of Furman's ROTC program. Cadets perform all ROTC requirements with the Cadets from Furman. All military labs and physical training (PT) sessions are conducted on Furman's campus.All of Furman and North Greenville's Cadets combine to form the Paladin Battalion. The Cadets major in all areas of study and participate in varsity sports as well as all intramural events. Furman's Cadets are leaders amongst their peers on campus, in their respected Fraternities and Sororities, and in other campus organizations. Cadets are held in high regard by Furman's population as they continue to excel in all they do.