A Brief History of ROTC at Tech Much has changed in the world since the ROTC was first established at Georgia Tech in 1917, not long after the United States declared war on Germany. In a 1969 military science paper on the history of Tech’s Army ROTC, Major John H. Matthews wrote that the 1917 faculty voted to make ROTC participation obligatory for all physically capable students. This decision was a precursor to the Student Army Training Corps bill of 1918, which Congress passed under the shadow of the Great War. The bill would allow draft-eligible men to be readied for military service without simultaneously depleting colleges and universities of their student body. Whether or not to keep the ROTC in place after the end of World War I caused conAIR FORCE siderable discontent on campus. Students proFounded: 1946 (though part of Army ROTC in 1920) tested throughout 1919 Commander: Lt. Col. to terminate the proShawn Bevans, gram, Matthews wrote. Professor of Aerospace Studies, AFROTC The unrest continued Detachment 165 until President Kenneth Commander Matheson and faculty Current full-time Georgia elected to continue the Tech cadets: 65 Full-time Georgia Tech ROTC. cadet commissions in In the years following, 2014: 6 the program grew—freshmen and sophomore Summary: Detachment 165 is a recipient of the High students were required Flight Award (2011, 2013), to participate, while juwhich recognizes Air Force niors and seniors could ROTC excellence in the region. It also received the elect their participation national honor Right of Line, once basic courses were #1/53 units (2011, 2013). completed successfully. Both awards measure In light of Georgia Tech’s students’ GPA, fitness ability, community involvement and notable track record with the number of STEM majors the Army ROTC, the Dein the program. Graduates partment of the Navy become pilots, combat system operators, cyber selected Tech as one of officers and oversee six universities to launch remotely piloted aircraft. the Navy ROTC in 1926. The program received Quote from Commander: “This detachment sent 100 prominent attention— percent of our officers who Winston Churchill and wanted to fly into rated President Franklin Roopositions in 2011 and 2013. In sevelt both visited in the 2012, we were at 80 percent. In general, the Air Force sits at early 1930s. For the first about 75 percent. If you really 10 years, NROTC annuwant to fly, enrolling in al membership ranged Georgia Tech’s AFROTC is the way to go. The Air Force has from 200-270 midshipgreat careers in space, cyber men. An expansive naval and key logistics and support armory was built in 1935 functions.” at the center of campus.
Tech ROTC SNAPSHOT
The Technique ran images of cadets practicing drill, interviewed midshipmen before their summer cruises, and discussed how the War Department’s latest changes would impact the day-to-day of Tech ROTC students. And times continued to change. By the early 1960s, Matthews wrote, other considerations impacted the outlook Tech faculty had on ROTC programs. Namely, the unpopular Vietnam War and a shift from a drafted military force to an all-volunteer one. In 1965, the faculty voted to end mandatory ROTC service, which coincided with the implementation of scholarship programs, passed by Congress. As membership in ROTC decreased, so too, did its ubiquitous presence on campus. In 1980, the naval armory was torn down to make room for the Edge Athletic Center Building. The NROTC moved to the corner of Bobby Dodd Way and Fowler Street, then moved again in 2007 to its current residence on the second floor of the O’Keefe Building, a space it shares with the Army and Air Force ROTC units. O’Keefe is where Townsend and Downing report to Capt. Roberts and their commanding officer, Capt. Mario Mifsud. It’s where they have their NROTC classes on naval science, leadership and ethics. It’s also the home of a makeshift student center: one well-lit room with a couple of couches and a handful of computers. It’s where midshipmen do homework, discuss upcoming drill assignments, plan events and play foosball. It’s also where the platoon of Marine options meet up before piling in the “govvies,” large passenger vans that take the group up to the obstacle course in Marietta, at the home of the Marine Corps Forces Reserve, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion.
A Day in the Life Downing is upset, though she’s trying not to show it. Today is “O Course” day, one of three during the semester where the Marine options practice on the Marine Corps Recon obstacle course. They train for this course throughout the semester, trying to save the practice times for the warmest days of the season. Downing will not be able to participate. “I went to the doctor,” she says, fighting back tears. “Something is going on with my hips.” That morning, Downing’s doctor explained that the constant pain in her hips was due to the friction of her hip bone and socket rubbing together on each side. They were out of alignment and she’s been told not to continue. The physical strain of being a Marine might prove to be too much. She doesn’t want to believe it. “I’ve barely even started,” she says, looking away. Nearby, Townsend listens in. Later, he’ll encourage Downing to get a second opinion. But for now, he’s focused on organizing the platoon to tackle the course. It’s about a 20-minute drive to the 4th Recon Battalion, a couple of miles off the I-75 Windy Hill exit. Civilian vehicles drive past regularly, and curious pedestrians will peer through the chain-link fence as they stroll by. The assistant Marine officer instructor, Staff Sgt. Jermaine Vereen, is already waiting for the platoon, along with a Reserve corpsman with a stretcher and safety kit in tow. The Georgia Tech platoon is joined by their counterparts from Morehouse, Clark Atlanta and Spelman. They are all outfitted in boots and fatigues. They look ready to work. GTALUMNIMAG.COM VOLUME 90 NO.2 2014
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