The University of Cincinnati’s interest in military science dates back to 1897 when the Board of Directors requested the Secretary of War to assign an officer of the U.S. Army as a campus instructor in military science. This request and a later one in 1902 for an officer to instruct students in military drill were declined, but the interest in military science at UC remained.

The threat of World War I revived the effort to offer military training at UC, and instruction and drill began in May 1917. The Department of Military Instruction was officially created in October 1917, under the direction of First Lieutenant John J. Long. All male students in both the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Engineering were required to drill three periods each week. A school for officers was also established. The College of Engineering offered courses in areas such as military sketching, map reading and map making, knots and lashings, and bridge construction, using standard military texts and practical exercises. The College of Liberal Arts offered lectures dealing with the cause and issues of war as well as courses in war gardening, the history of Germany, and problems of the war.

In 1919 the Reserved Officers’ Training Corps assumed the duties of military instruction within the military science program.

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Students engaged in military drill

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During military drill and study, students wore uniforms that were provided by the University.