Repository: UIHistories Project: Reference Folder - 1958 [PAGE 20]

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Page 19 MILITARY TRAINING has been required of all able men students in the University since it opened in 1868. After the first World War this training was taken over by the Reserve Officers1 Training Corps* Students may elect to take work in Army,*Navy, or Air Force, Two years basic training is required, two advanced years optional. Total enroll* ment is k,782 (first semester 1958-59), of whom 190 are at the Chicago Undergraduate Division.

ARMy ROTC in 1919 took over training of the former University cadet brigade. Instruction is provided at Urbana-Champaign in artillery, armor, corps of engineers, infantry, ordnance corps, quarter master corps, and signal corps, A combined two-year basic course is offered at the Chicago Undergraduate Division. Qualified students may take two years of advanced training leading to reserve commissions and for outstanding graduates opportunity for a commission in the Regular Army. Total Army ROTC enrollment is 2,482 (first semester 1958-59). This includes 190 students at Chicago and 2.292 at Urbana-Champaign. The University military department is Detachment No. 1, U, S. Army ROTC Instructor Group, XIth U. S. Army Corps (Reserve). Commandant is Col. Paul W. Steinbeck. NAVAL ROTC was established at Illinois in 191*5, A Marine Corps option is provided in junior and senior years. NROTC students are in three categories: 1. "Regular students," selected annually through nationwide examinations, receive free educational expenses and are paid $600 a year. They are commissioned in the regular Navy or Marine Corps and must serve four years on active duty. 2. "Contract students" elect to take Naval ROTC instead of Army or Air Force. After taking examinations they enroll with the idea of taking four years of training leading to a commission in the Navy or Marine Corps Reserve and serve two years on active duty. 3* "Naval science students" have no Navy status but take naval science courses for University credit only. Satisfactory completion of two years of naval science courses in any of the categories satisfies the University military training requirement. Enrollment is 290 (first semester 1958-59). Commanding officer of the Naval ROTC is Capt. Robert C. &iowles.

AIR FORCE ROTC started in 19^6 in the Army ROTC and with separation of the services became a separate unit in 19*+9. Qualified students may take two years advanced training leading to a reserve commission, and for outstanding graduates opportunity for a commission in the Regular Air Force. Graduates going on to pilot training go to flying school as student officers instead of cadets. Enrollment is 2,010 (first semester, 1958*59). The unit is Detachment 190, AF ROTC, under the Air University Command. The commanding officer is Col. Leonard J. Rohrs.