Campus & Community

Harvard and ROTC

6 min read

At Harvard, military service is regarded as a form of public service. The University’s long history with the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps has provided generations of students with formative leadership opportunities, and it has provided the military with some of its best-educated officers.

The ROTC Handbook for Harvard University in 1942. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard University Archives image. Inscription reads, “Reserve Officers Training Corps, Harvard University, Memorial Day, May 30, 1917.” Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard University Archives image. Inscription reads, “Company F, Harvard ROTC 1918.” Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard University Archives image. Inscription reads, “Navy, L to R, Ensigns E. Schwerin, Norma Meyer, Olga Quadland, and Edith Paulsen, Engineering 263-5 Course at Pierce Hall, October 23, 1943.” Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Copy image of historical material gathered from Harvard University Archives regarding the university’s history with ROTC. Inscription on image verso reads, Navy, L to R, Ensigns E. Schwerin, Norma Meyer, Olga Quadland, and Edith Paulsen, Engineering 263-5 Course at Pierce Hall, October 23, 1943. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Copy image of historical material gathered from Harvard University Archives regarding the university’s history with ROTC. The image inscription reads, Bayonet Drill, Harvard ROTC at Stadium, 1917-1918. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard University Archives image. Inscription reads, “Setting up exercises, Harvard ROTC, Soldiers Field 1917-1918.” Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard University Archives image. Inscription reads, “1917.” Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Copy image of historical material gathered from Harvard University Archives regarding the university’s history with ROTC. The image inscription verso reads, ROTC 1917-1918. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard University Archives image. Inscription reads, “Army, July 1943.” Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard University Archives image. Inscription reads, “Mil Sci Review on steps on Widener, May 1941, WWII.” Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Copy image of historical material gathered from Harvard University Archives regarding the university’s history with ROTC. The image inscription verso reads, ROTC, Pres. Pusy, 1953. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Copy image of historical material gathered from Harvard University Archives regarding the university’s history with ROTC. The image inscription verso reads, Reviewing ROTC parade at Harvard University are (left to right): Lt. Col Trevor H. Dupuy, Senior Professor of Military Science and Tactics of Harvard University; President Nathan M Pusey of Harvard University; Colonel Henry J.P. Harding, Chief Massachusetts Military District; Colonel Frank M. Foley, Senior Army Advisor Massachusetts Military District and Major Henry P. Walker, Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Harvard University. November 6, 1953. Credit: U.S. Army Photograph. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard University Archives image. Inscription reads, “Navy, steps of University Hall, October 9, 1943.” Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Copy image of historical material gathered from Harvard University Archives regarding the university’s history with ROTC. The image inscription verso reads, Navy ROTC, receiving tetanus inoculations, Sept. 18, 1943. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
David Boswell ’10 (left) has camo paint applied by a squad member as they ready for training early in the monring. Members of the Paul Revere Battalion Army ROTC program, including students from Harvard University, participated in the annual spring week end training exercise at Fort Devens in April 2008. Called “FTX,” it is training exercise for students held twice a year. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
David Boswell ’10 (left) comes into position during training. Members of the Paul Revere Battalion Army ROTC program, including students from Harvard University, participated in the annual spring week end training exercise at Fort Devens in April 2008. Called “FTX,” it is training exercise for students held twice a year. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Karl Kmiecik ’10, his glasses repaired with OD Duck Tape, after a long day of training. Members of the Paul Revere Battalion Army ROTC program, including students from Harvard University, participated in the annual spring week end training exercise at Fort Devens in April 2008. Called “FTX,” it is training exercise for students held twice a year. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Vinnie Chiappini ’09 (from left), Tom Barron ’09, Danny Biolotti ’09, Roxanne Bras ’09, Andrei Doohovskoy HKS ’09, Greg Wellman (not a Harvard student), and Lt. Col. Leo R. McGonagle prior to going to the shooting range. Members of the Paul Revere Battalion Army ROTC program, including students from Harvard University, participated in the annual spring week end training exercise at Fort Devens in April 2008. Called “FTX,” it is training exercise for students held twice a year. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Prior to the 2010 ROTC commissioning ceremony, Shawna Sinnott ’10 and David Boswell ’10 have their photo taken in front of the John Harvard Statue. Michael G. Vickers, United States assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low intensity conflict, was the key speaker at the 2010 ceremony. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
During the 2010 ROTC commissioning ceremony, Harvard President Drew Faust gives a gift to Shawna Sinnott ’10 (black jacket) and Olivia Volkoff ’10 (white jacket). Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Farish A. Jenkins Jr. (left), professor of biology and curator of vertebrate paleontology, congratulates his former student, Shawna Sinnott ’10 during the 2010 ROTC commissioning ceremony at Harvard. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Gen. David H. Petraeus and Harvard President Drew G. Faust share a laugh during the 2009 ROTC commissioning ceremony. Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
Second Lt. Roxanne Bras is sworn into office during the 2009 ROTC commissioning ceremony at Harvard. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard President Drew Faust presents Gen. David H. Petraeus with a historical photo of Winston Churchill speaking on the steps of Memorial Church to military officers after World War II. Petraeus spoke at the 2009 ROTC commissioning ceremony. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Second Lt. Roxanne Bras poses for a photo with her parents and dignitaries at the 2009 ROTC commissioning ceremony at Harvard. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
U.S. Army 2nd Lt. J. Danielle Williams (center) and 2nd Lt. Jason M. Scherer talk with Harvard President Drew Faust prior to the 2008 ROTC commissioning ceremony. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
At the 2008 ROTC commissioning ceremony, Harvard President Drew Faust (center) poses with Reserve Officers’ Training Corps members U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Roberto A. Guerra (from left) and 2nd Lt. Michael J. Arth; U.S. Navy Ensign John D. Reed; and U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Jason M. Scherer and 2nd Lt. J. Danielle Williams. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer