Ripon College’s proud history of the Reserved Army Training Crops (ROTC) began with the First World War In response to overseas involvement in the conflict, the United States advocated training for college-age men in the event that they would be called to war. Being called to war is the key: Ripon students during World War I did not rush to arms as students during World War II would twenty-five years later. Enlistment from college men was interestingly discouraged:

American entry into World War I in April 1917 did not produce a wholesale rush to the colors by Ripon students. Some went; many others wanted to, but the War and Navy Departments deliberately discouraged any such drain on the nation’s educational system. The British and French governments had closed their universities, calling all their eligible men into military service. By 1917, this was thought to have been a mistake since both nations were losing an entire generation of their best minds. So, American college students were told to stay in school until summoned by the selective service system. (Ashley and Miller 113-14)

The trade-off for staying in school was that all men enrolled in an academic setting were required to participate in a Military Drill. In addition, women took classes in nursing. The campus was becoming a war time one.

The most noticeable war-time change for Ripon students was the installation of the Student Army Training Corps (SATC) at the beginning of the 1918-1919 academic year. Ultimately, the SATC brought 175 soldiers to Ripon. The men overtook Bartlett Hall, among others, forcing female students to relocate to the Hotel LeRoy in downtown Ripon (114).  

Considering that the end of the war came in November 1918, the SATC did not last long. However, Ripon, along with other schools, recognized the value of the SATC, applied to have Reserved Army Training Crops on campus. The application was accepted and on January 27, 1919, Ripon’s ROTC tradition began.

More about WWI and ROTC:

Letter from Corporal Selwyn F. Lewis

By Parissa DJangi