A Proud History-A Bright Future

History of Army ROTC at the University of New Hampshire

Army officer training began at UNH during the 1893-1984 academic year when the decision was made to begin a program with the selection of an instructor in Military Science.  Lieutenant Henry Hodges, of the 22nd Infantry, reported as the program's first instructor in September, 1894.  The 1895-1896 course catalog first listed Military Science and Tactics.

The program grew slowly through the Spanish American War period, and up to World War I.  In 1918 a major transition took place -  the Military Science program was deactivated while the University became a major facility for the "Student Army Trainings Corps" to meet the needs of the service, and reactivated following the war in 1919.  Several Barracks were built on UNH grounds in 1918 to house Army students, all of which were later demolitioned.

In 1922 The U.S. Congress officially organized the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) providing its present name under the National Defense Act.  The following year, in 1923, the University of New Hampshire also received its present name, having previously been known as New Hampshire College. 

The program continued to evolve through the 1920's and 1930's.  During the 1940-1941 the War (Pilot) Training Service Program was established by the University in cooperation with the Civil Aeronautics Administration.  Flight instruction was conducted at the Laconia Airport.

In 1942 the entire UNH ROTC Junior class was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia for Basic Training and Officer Candidate School (OCS).  This obviously accelerated the officer training and utilization of this group of cadet for service in World War II.  By 1944 UNH and other ROTC programs in the nation had such a profound impact on the Army that a study of five veteran combat divisions revealed that over 75% of their Captains and Majors were ROTC graduates.

In World War II's post-war years, the basic and the advance courses of instruction would be re-defined, as well as the development of what would become a new branch of service, the U.S. Air Force.  After 1951-1952, the Army and Air Force became separate ROTC Programs. 

The 1950's was a period of minor change, while the 1960's saw an expansion of military activities and societies on campus.  In 1964, the 10th New Hampshire Volunteers, modeled after the original Roger's Rangers, was activated.  In 1969, at the height of the Vietnam War, 80 officers were commissioned from UNH Army ROTC. 

In 1973 women were admitted to the Corps, and in 1977 the first woman graduate was commissioned.  During the 1980s the number of Army ROTC graduates averaged about 27 per year.  That number today is about 20 per year.  The program continues to be robust, with approximately 100 cadets, cadre and staff.

UNH Army ROTC alumni have been active members of the Global War or Terror, participating in operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and defending the United States at home.  Evolving to meets the future needs of the Army, UNH Army ROTC continues to deliver avenues of career growth for the young men and women determined to accept it.