Department of War honors Army and Navy branches

The Department of War recently awarded both the Notre Dame Army and Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) branches with the Educational Institution Partnership Excellence Award for the 2023–24 academic year. The award, granted each year to the top Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC program in the country, recognizes performance, support for educational institutions, and other noteworthy achievements in the ROTC unit and its host university. 

Notre Dame’s ROTC history is storied. Fifty-eight years before the United States established the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in 1916, Father Edward Sorin, C.S.C. inaugurated the ‘Continental Cadets’ and then the ‘Washington Cadets’ a year later—both student military companies. Father William Corby, C.S.C., who famously served as chaplain to the Union soldiers during the Civil War, revived student military companies in 1880 while he was university president.

The university officially established the Students’ Army Training Corps (SATC) on campus in 1918, although it was dissolved following World War I. During World War II, the Navy used Notre Dame as a Midshipmen Training Center. Nearly 12,000 officers were trained there, and by 1944 more than two-thirds of Notre Dame’s students were training for military service.

In addition to expressing pride in the midshipmen and cadets, university president Father Robert Dowd, C.S.C. said in a statement, “It is wonderful to see [Naval ROTC] recognized alongside our Army ROTC cadets, and on behalf of the entire campus community, we congratulate them on this prestigious honor.”

The Marines are a subunit of the Naval ROTC program. Timmy O’Toole, a junior Marines midshipman and Battalion Sergeant Major, told the Rover, “The DoW/DoD’s recognition of our unit just reflects all the hard work of the upperclassmen throughout the years who have taken responsibility for making the unit great.” 

O’Toole added, “It is clear to me, and to the DoW/DoD, that the Ensigns (Navy) and 2nd Lieutenants (Marines) that are commissioned at ND, HCC, and SMC leave here fully prepared to lead, uphold the highest standards of the naval service, and represent this battalion with distinction from day one in the fleet.”

Lupe Garvey, an army ROTC senior and Cadet Battalion Commander, told the Rover, “DOD’s recognition of ND Army ROTC fills me with immense gratitude. … I am grateful that our team is being recognized for its many accomplishments and successes. This title also gives us a high standard to continue to rise to, and motivates us to further our excellence.” She additionally noted that one of the elite factors of Notre Dame’s ROTC program is its distinguished military alumni.

Among Notre Dame’s most notable ROTC alumni is Admiral Christopher Grady ’84, who, until his retirement in September, was the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Navy’s “Old Salt”—the longest serving active duty surface warfare officer.

Grady delivered the commencement address to Notre Dame’s 2025 class. In his speech, he encouraged the graduates, “You will confront this imperfect world with unflinching moral courage and conviction to face adversity in the name of God, country and Notre Dame.”

Caleb Vaughan is a junior from Orono, MN. To inquire about enlisting in ROGC programs, shoot him an email at cvaugha2@nd.edu. 

Photo Credit: Notre Dame Naval ROTC

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