Fulfilling the Land-Grant Legacy
Purdue Polytechnic Institute’s Division of Military Science and Technology was officially approved by the Purdue University Board of Trustees on July 18, 2014. However, its origins can be traced back to 1869, when local business investor John Purdue donated $150,000 to help establish the university as part of Indiana’s participation in the Morrill Land-Grant Act. This landmark legislation called for the creation of colleges that would offer education in agriculture, mechanic arts, and military tactics, with a focus on promoting liberal and practical education for the industrial classes.
Today, Purdue continues to uphold this land-grant promise through its three Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) programs: Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC, and Naval ROTC. These programs prepare students for leadership roles as officers in the U.S. armed forces, combining rigorous academic education with military training to develop future leaders who are equipped to serve their country.

Air Force ROTC

Army ROTC
