ROTC
Princeton offers Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) in three branches of service—Army, Navy and Air Force—to prepare students to become officers in the U.S. military after graduation. Our ROTC programs embody Princeton’s unofficial motto, “In the Nation’s Service, and the Service of Humanity,” permitting our students and graduates to contribute to the nation’s military in a diverse range of fields and careers.
We've had many students particpate in our ROTC programs throughout the years and our notable graduates of Princeton ROTC programs include General Mark A. Milley '80, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Brigadier General Katherine E. White '88, who also serves as a law professor at Wayne State University and as a member of the University of Michigan Board of Regents; and Mikayla Blaska ’19, who recently became just the 56th woman to graduate from Army Ranger School.
100 Years of ROTC at Princeton
During the Centennial celebration for 100 years of ROTC at Princeton, President Eisgruber reflected on the impact of these programs, stating: "Princeton’s ROTC programs have trained generations of leaders who have served this country, and who continue to serve this country, with courage, wisdom and integrity, exemplifying the University’s commitment to be ‘in the nation’s service and the service of humanity.’" We're proud to have one of the oldest continuously running on-campus ROTC programs.
Princeton’s ROTC programs have trained generations of leaders who have served this country, and who continue to serve this country, with courage, wisdom and integrity, exemplifying the University’s commitment to be ‘in the nation’s service and the service of humanity.’
Our Programs
Army ROTC
Army ROTC at Princeton exists as the Tiger Battalion, which has been in operation on campus since 1919. It was one of 125 ROTC units established by the U.S. Army following World War I. Students can participate in the ROTC program with or without an obligation to future military service. Prospective students interested in Army ROTC at Princeton should contact the program directly or visit our website to learn more about scholarship opportunities.
Air Force ROTC and Navy ROTC
Princeton students can participate in Air Force ROTC (with the Space Force option) or Navy ROTC (with the Marine Corps option) through our joint programs in a crosstown agreement with Rutgers University. Students can participate with or without a scholarship. Princeton is one of a small number of national universities where all Air Force scholarships are converted into Type I scholarships. Prospective students interested in Air or Space Force ROTC should contact the Rutgers AFROTC program directly, and prospective students interested in the Navy ROTC or Marine Corps option should contact the Rutgers NROTC program directly.
