The Veteran’s Day ceremony, conducted Sunday at the Armory by the Illinois ROTC program, is an annual reminder of the university’s historical connection with the military.
That connection is long on tradition, dating back to 1868 when classes first began at Illinois.
Back then, the 75 male students at the university enrolled in mandatory military courses to learn basic tactics and drill. The Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act of 1862, which provided the funds to establish the UI as well as 68 other public universities, stipulated that the universities train students specifically in military sciences, agriculture and engineering.
Illinois maintained a strong relationship with its military foundation. Eventually, the corps at Illinois was known as the “West Point of the West,” which speaks to its commitment to military excellence.
In 1914, the Armory building was built on the Illinois campus – the first building specifically designed for military use at Illinois. Prior to World War I, the Armory building boasted the largest unsupported roof in the world, meaning that columns were not put in place to support the weight of the roof. Today, the building maintains its exterior appearance as it was in 1926, when it was renovated.
The ROTC program began nationally in 1916 as a result of the National Defense Act. Passed as a reaction to the then-escalating crisis of World War I, this act provided funding for the development of military training programs, especially at college campuses. In 1919, the ROTC program began at Illinois, and it was compulsory for all male students. In 1945, Illinois began a Naval ROTC program, and in 1949, the Air Force ROTC program began. With the establishment of the other two branches of ROTC, Illinois became elite in that it offered three ROTC branches, something that few universities offered. This is still true of the Illinois ROTC program today.
In 1964, participation in the ROTC program became voluntary nationwide. In the 1960s, numbers of cadets in the program declined, partly as a result of the public backlash against the Vietnam War. The numbers of participating students steadily grew beginning in the 1980s, and they grew further as a result of patriotism after the 9/11 attacks.
The ROTC program at Illinois was the first program to commission a female cadet, Christine Wolframm. She became involved in the program in 1973 and was selected as the first female Cadet Battalion Commander for Illinois.
Taking part in the rich ROTC program at Illinois offers many real-world benefits that students may not be able to receive in other areas.
“We stress problem-solving, good decision-making models and tools, as well as ethics training,” said Capt. Eric Stetson, of the Army ROTC program at Illinois. “Our cadets are provided with a real-world opportunity to express those tools while leading other cadets.”
The leadership roles that students occupy in the program demonstrate high levels of passion and commitment.
“I have seen some of the most talented, motivated and determined young people in the cadet corps here at Illinois,” said Capt. Kurt Bauer, of the Air Force ROTC program at Illinois. “The amount of time and the level of dedication they pour into their ROTC detachment is amazing. Much of the training here is done by the upper class – they pass on the ideals and core values we hold dear in the Air Force. They serve as mentors to our freshmen and sophomores.”
In all, the Illinois ROTC program is a testament to a time-honored military tradition. The Veterans’ Day ceremony serves as yet another showcase of military excellence on the Illinois campus.
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