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In March 1894, 2LT E.R. Chrisman
reported to the University to become the first Professor of Military Science
and Tactics. He served in this capacity until 1898, again from 1902 to
1905, and returned as a Brigadier General to serve as Professor of Military
Science from 1919-1932, when he retired from active military service.
General Chrisman formed and led a company from the Idaho campus in the
Spanish-American War. Chrisman Hall, a hall in the Wallace Complex on
campus, is named in his honor. The military training program continued at the University until 17 June 1916 when the University President requested that an ROTC unit be established under the provisions of the National Defense Act of 3 June 1916. On 8 January 1917, the War Department authorized the establishment of a two-year compulsory course of Senior Division ROTC at the University of Idaho. Army ROTC at the University of Idaho made a significant contribution to the nation by furnishing a large number of dedicated officers who served their country with distinction during World War II, the Korean Conflict, Viet Nam, and the Persian Gulf War. Since the close of World War II, ROTC at the University has expanded officer education programs to include Naval ROTC and Air Force ROTC programs in addition to the Army ROTC. Many of the officers commissioned at the U of I chose the military service for their careers. This program continues to train many outstanding young men and women to serve their country as officers in the United States Army. |
