Home of the Nittany Lion Battalion
Our Mission
To educate, train, develop and inspire participants to become officers and leaders of character for the U.S. Army and the Nation.
Welcome to Penn State Army ROTC
Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps
(ROTC) and the Pennsylvania State University share a proud tradition of
producing exceptional military and civilian leaders.
Our cadre focuses on leadership training, character
development, team building, and physical fitness. Penn State Army ROTC
produces leaders who actively seek responsibility and welcome the challenges of
being an Army officer.
Our Units
The Nittany Lion Battalion consists of three companies located at three Penn State campuses:
Alpha Company: Penn State University Park
Charlie Company: Penn State Hazleton
Delta Company: Penn State Altoona
Penn State Army ROTC is one of 19 participating battalions in the Second "Liberty" Brigade, Headquartered at Fort Dix, NJ, and a member of the Eastern Region Cadet Command.
Our History
The Early Years
Military training has existed at the Pennsylvania State University since the university's founding in 1855. The Agricultural College of Pennsylvania (which became the Pennsylvania State College in 1874) was one of the first participants in the Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862, which offered federal land to colleges in return for college-sponsored military training. The instructor was a civilian with military training experience. In 1878, a full-time Professor of Military Science was assigned to Penn State.
Civil War through World War II
During the Civil War, cadets were deployed in response to the threatened confederate invasion. In June of 1916, the National Defense Act formally created an ROTC unit at Penn State. Until World War I, military instruction consisted principally of drill, with an occasional lecture on a subject of military interest. No attempt was made to present theoretical instruction and no academic credit was awarded. Following World War II, the military curriculum was expanded to include instruction in all branches of the Army, and ROTC units were established at the Berks and Abington-Ogontz campuses. Later, Altoona and Hazleton campuses added Army ROTC to their curriculum.
Cold War through Present
In 1955, specialized training for Cadets was abolished and replaced with general military science training. In 1960, the Wagner Building, the current home of the Nittany Lion Battalion, was opened. In 1962, the University Senate voted to end mandatory military training for students. In 1972, women joined the program. Today, Penn State Army ROTC is widely recognized as one of the top ROTC programs in the nation. Lieutenants commissioned from the Nittany Lion Battalion consistently perform above standards in their Basic Officer Leader Courses and in their units.
211 Wagner Building, University Park, PA 16802 (814) 863-0368 mbh171@psu.edu
Penn State Homepage - 2nd "Liberty" Brigade - Eastern Region Cadet Command - Cadet Command HQ
The information contained on the PSU Army ROTC website does not necessarily represent any official policy or view of the U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Command, the Department of the Army, or the U.S. Government. External Links: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Army of the web site or the information, products or services contained therein. The Department of the Army does not exercise control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the purpose of this web site.