Promising news came from our nation’s capitol yesterday for The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Army ROTC program. Recently slated for closure by the Army at the end of the 2015 academic year, the UT Martin program was one of 13 programs nationally and three programs statewide set for elimination. The other institutions located in Tennessee include Tennessee Technological University and East Tennessee State University. As the hardest hit state by the announced closures, Tennessee’s Congressional Delegation actively worked towards finding a solution.
Leaders announced yesterday that the U.S. Army will delay for two years the closure of Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs at the three Tennessee schools, allowing them time to make improvements to their current programs to better meet the Army’s needs.
“These programs have produced some of our nation’s outstanding military leaders,” Senator Lamar Alexander said. “This is a major victory for students at these Tennessee schools, and I thank Congressmen Roe, Black and Fincher and Senator Corker for their leadership.”
Since the establishment of the Army ROTC program at The University of Tennessee at Martin, over 650 Cadets have been commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the Regular Army, the United States Army Reserve and the Tennessee Army National Guard. Currently, the Military Science program, to include Jackson State Community College, Lane College, Freed-Hardeman University, Bethel University and Union University consists of approximately 60 Basic Course Cadets and 25 Advanced Course Cadets.
Press Releases of Interest:
Senator Lamar Alexander
Senator Bob Corker
