What most students at the university don't know is the history behind the program.

The U of A was founded as a Land-Grant university under the Morrill Act of 1862.

According the Lt. John Cahir, a Gold Bar Recruiter in the Army R.O.T.C. department, the federal government gave the state land to build a university. The donation's only contigency: the school was required to found a ROTC program.

Although classes began in 1891, it wasn't until 1896 that an actual military science and tactics course was created that all male students were required to take.

In 1920, the military focus changed to cavalry instruction, a lucky break for the university's polo team, as the team used the military's horses to play.

In 1838, Old Main, the university's most date building, had fallen into disrepair.

According to Ryan Burton-Romero, "The Navy came in and actually saved us in 1942. They refurbished all of Old Main, brought it up to code and that's when R.O.T.C. came in and they had this whole building for their facilities and uses."

In the four years after the beginning of World War II, the university changed it's focus from military tactics to preparing for war. Over 11,000 men received military training at the U of A.

A minimum of two years of military instruction was required for every male student until 1969 when the Arizona State Board of Regents elected to make participation voluntary.

According to Cadet Command, Army R.O.T.C. has a total of 272 programs located at colleges and universities in the United States with an enrollment of more than 20,000 people.

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