Harvard ROTC Coverage: 2020

2020

21 February 2020 Harvard Crimson article "DSO Appoints New Manager for Military Student Services". Note: The newly created position "will act as a liaison to Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC students and others interested in serving in the military". The article also erroneously states that "in 1969, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences voted to strip ROTC of its extracurricular status". What in fact happened was that the faculty voted to change the status to extracurricular, thereby violating the terms of the ROTC Vitalization Act of 1964 ((Part 1 Part 2), as discussed in a 1969 Crimson article.
27 March 2020 Harvard Crimson article "Harvard College Admits 4.92 Percent of Applicants to Class of 2024". Note: "The number of admitted students who previously served in the military or indicated an interest in ROTC also grew. This year’s class admitted students include 13 veterans and 47 students interested in ROTC, an increase from six veterans and 41 ROTC prospects last year. Fitzsimmons said in a Wednesday interview that he believes veterans bring a valuable perspective to campus. “The difference the veterans make in terms of their interaction with fellow undergraduates is absolutely priceless. We certainly hope that we’re going to see the continued increases,” Fitzsimmons said."

2021

26 March 2021 Harvard Gazette article "1,980 accepted to the Class of 2024". Note: "Thirteen veterans were admitted to this year’s class, and 47 students expressed interest in ROTC, an increase from six veterans and 41 potential ROTC candidates last year."
20 September 2021 Wall Street Journal op-ed "Afghanistan Was Lost in the Halls of Harvard: The 40-year ROTC ban sent a deeper message: that American civilization isn’t worth defending" by Prof. Ruth Wisse. Note: See responses at "The Campus Attack on ROTC, Then and Now". Professor Wisse is correct that this was a problem, but through efforts of Wisse and thousands in Advocates for ROTC groups and support of all post-9/11 Harvard presidents, Harvard reversed course after 9/11 to support ROTC.
9 November 2021 Harvard Gazette article "Think higher-ed boot camp: Ashley Emann traces ups and downs of her obstacle-strewn path from the Marines to success in the Yard". Note: A junior who is a former Marine is helping those with military backgrounds apply and succeed at Harvard.

2022

25 May 2022 Harvard Gazette article "Newly minted military officers warned of global threats to democracy". Note: The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, was the speaker and spoke of threats from Russia and China. Eight graduates were commissioned, with greater numbers in the classes to come reflecting the increased numbers of ROTC students during the Bacow administration.
25 May 2022 Harvard Magazine article "To Serve Better Thy Country and Thy Kind". Note: The keynote speak, Chaiman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Ge. Mark Milley reminded graduates of the need to avoid war, saying "We lost 58,000 Americans in eight weeks, the summer of 1944. That’s great power war."

2024

29 October 2024 Harvard Salient article "Fighting ROTC" by Charles B. Bratton II. Note: The article has something of a negative spin about Harvard's attitude towards ROTC, ignoring the role of President Larry Summers in initiating restoration of ROTC and the role of President Larry Bacow in tripling the number of ROTC students. It states: "As recently as this past semester, ROTC cadets were advised not to wear their uniforms on campus due to concerns for their safety during pro-Palestinian protests." This advisory was not Harvard-specific, it came from the national ROTC commands, was based on information about possible violent protests, and was in effect for one week.

Please contact us if you have more links to add.