ROTC Back on Ivy League Campuses?

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you have read a few posts that talk about the ban of ROTC programs on Ivy League campuses across the country. To get background on this issue follow this link: https://majastevanovich.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/rotc-ban-on-ivy-league-campuses-part-two/

Recently, Ivy League campuses are starting to reconsider this policy that is over thirty years old and was first instated during the Vietnam War era. While these institutions have the right not to offer these programs, it sends a very poor message about military service to some of the most elite college students across the country. The fact that these colleges and universities don’t offer ROTC on their campus makes it difficult for some of the brightest minds in the country to think about entering a career of service. While military service is by no means for everyone, it is important that top candidates are attracted to a career field in the military and given ample opportunities to learn more about the career path.

Ivy League universities pride themselves on developing future leaders. Not allowing ROTC programs on their campuses goes against that belief, as ROTC programs train future military leaders and are very important in developing new officers. Admiral Mullen, the highest ranking member of the military had a meeting with Columbia University earlier this month and is hopeful that the ban will be lifted in the near future

“I think representation . . . in particular [at] universities in the Northeast would be of great benefit to both the universities as well as the military, as well as the country,’’ Mullen said. The Northeast region is historically known as one of the toughest for military recruiting. Having military presence on some of the finest universities in this region would slowly change perception of the military amongst these students and give an opportunity to more bright individuals to learn about what it means to serve their country.