Since 1916, Harvard ROTC has commissioned hundreds of officers through its various programs.

Who We Are

The Harvard Reserves Officers Training Corps Association (HROTCA) seeks to foster camaraderie amongst Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps cadets and midshipmen and bridge the gap between military-affiliated students and the broader Harvard community. In addition, HROTCA serves to bolster veteran and alumni relations to build a stronger support network.

Our Numbers

In the past two decades, Harvard ROTC has commissioned 166 officers, with its numbers steadily rising since its official return to campus in 2011. The incoming class of 2027 has brought the total number of cadets and midshipmen enrolled in the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps PLC programs to nearly 100.

Our Purpose

Military service has had a long-standing history at Harvard lasting 250 years, beginning in the American Revolution. A century and a half later, Harvard established the Reserves Officers Training Corps (ROTC) in 1916, becoming one of the first institutions to do so in the nation. Although ROTC was not officially recognized for a number of years, its current programs have been growing, thanks to former Harvard President Faust’s reinstatement of Navy, Army and Air Force ROTC in 2011, 2012, and 2016 respectively.