Skip Navigation
Edmon Low Library
image of History of the ROTC at OAMC
View the Collection

History of the ROTC at OAMC

The “Morrill Act” was passed by Congress on July 2, 1862. This Act required all land-grant colleges, like Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College to have military training or instruction at that college. In turn, the federal government would provide the college with equipment, instructors and limited funds.

The Military department was founded when OAMC opened on December 14, 1891, and from 1891-1899 was controlled by College officials. In 1893, military instruction was made mandatory, and a 24 credit hour lecture course was developed. From 1908-1911, the Corps of Cadets was established. Three hours of drill per week was required for all male students who were physically qualified. The course included instruction in Infantry Drill, Small Arms Firing, Field Service Regulations, Interior Guard Duty, and First Aid.

In 1908, Lieutenant Fravel organized the Corps into one battalion with five companies. Uniforms were issued for the first time, and a military band was organized. In spring 1908, the first tactical exercise was conducted.

The ROTC program was founded at OAMC in 1916 when Congress passed the National Defense Act of 1916, which allowed the Army to expand and created Reserve Officers Training Corps at select colleges, of which OAMC was one. OAMC’s ROTC program at the time provided for two years of Basic Military Instruction. The first head of the ROTC was Lieutenant Ewell, who was replaced by Captain A.J. Davis, who left for the war. At Captain Davis’ departure, Captain McDonald was appointed Commandant of the 36 member strong ROTC program. In 1918, OAMC had one of the 17 ROTC programs in the country.

1,441 OAMC students joined the war effort from 1916-1918. Of those 1,441 students, 28 were killed in action.

For more information on the history of the ROTC at OAMC, consult the Department of Military Science Collection's inventory (collection number 1996-101). To view items from this collection, please contact the Archives at 405-744-6311 libscua@okstate.edu.

Citation: History of the Army ROTC, Oklahoma State University, Department of Military Science Collection, Archives, Oklahoma State University Libraries.