[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 57 (Thursday, April 14, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S2093]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS

  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, this year marks the 100th anniversary of 
the formal establishment of the Reserve Officer Training Corps, ROTC, 
at its birthplace, Norwich University in Vermont. Thanks to the vision 
of Alden Partridge and Norwich University, we now enjoy the benefits of 
this century-old program that has commissioned more than half a million 
ensigns and second lieutenants since its inception.
  Years before many of his peers, Alden Partridge saw the potential of 
the citizen soldier. He created Norwich University as a place to 
educate future generations in a variety of academic fields separate 
from, but also essential to, the military and to the civic 
participation synonymous with today's Norwich University. Over the 
years, the value of the ideals promoted at Norwich University have 
remained clear to me. Today these proven ideals can be found at 
institutions of higher education through ROTC programs in all 50 
States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
  Without question, the country benefits from this diversity of 
experience. The U.S. service academies create high-quality, 
professional officers, and I am proud to nominate Vermonters to them 
every year. Our military, however, cannot rely on leadership that comes 
solely from a handful of institutions, however excellent they are. For 
100 years, ROTC has guaranteed an officer corps that better reflects 
the diversity of America.
  Few schools can boast a history as long, rich, and relevant as 
Norwich University. Always forward thinking, in 1974, Norwich became 
one of the first military colleges in the Nation to admit women, 
beginning yet another proud chapter in its history. Today the school 
ranks among the top institutions for education in the realm of cyber 
security, an essential professional discipline nurtured early on 
largely because of the forethought of Norwich University personnel. I 
am confident this trend of success will continue.
  The faculty and staff at Norwich help produce highly motivated, well-
trained graduates who are simply eager to serve. Their role as 
educators and mentors creates connections that last throughout the 
military and civilian careers of graduates and, in turn, fosters a 
powerful alumni connection that brings even more experience and wisdom 
to the next generation of students.
  Vermonters take great pride in their educational institutions, and 
Norwich University is no exception. Students arrive from around the 
Nation to study in both corps of cadets and traditional capacities. 
They develop essential academic and professional skills often while 
simultaneously fulfilling ROTC obligations that prepare them for future 
military service. Norwich, like the 274 other institutions supporting 
ROTC programs, demands and develops excellence in its commissioning-
track student body.
  I would like to recognize Norwich University, the birthplace of the 
ROTC, for its role in initiating a program that has enjoyed a century 
of success. I am confident that Alden Partridge's dream will continue 
to be realized at colleges and universities throughout the Nation as 
future generations of ROTC officers are produced and charged with the 
task of ensuring our Nation's success.

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