 | The Cavalier daily Friday, March 20, 1970 |  |
On ROTC
The following editorial is reprinted from the
January 8, 1935 edition of College Topics. It was
written by Murat Williams, who was editor-in-chief of
College Topics that year. We thought it might add
something to the current debate over the status of the
ROTC units on the Grounds
—Ed.
More than ten years ago the R.O.T.C. unit
at the University of Virginia was abandoned
because only two students enlisted. Today
lovers of military training seek the reestablishment
here of the Reserve Corps. Students,
asked yesterday if they would join the unit if
it is established here, replied with sufficient
affirmatives to indicate that the proposal to
restore the local R.O.T.C. will not be dropped
for lack of interest.
Why student military training at Virginia is
worth the money and efforts necessary to
provide it has not yet been made clear. There
is no threat of war for the United States.
There are plenty of military schools and
colleges in the state of Virginia. There is little
in military training that can add to the
education of a university man. Then too as
the Times Dispatch pointed out, military
training is out of harmony with the purposes
for which Jefferson founded the University.
If $35,000 is available for the use of the
University, we can suggest better ways of
using it than in the erection of R.O.T.C.
equipment. At the present time an R.O.T.C.
unit does not seem worthwhile for the
University of Virginia. Other things must
come first. If any student here feels the
necessity for military training, he may transfer
to V.M.I., V.P.I. or Maryland. Virginia with its
athletic and academic difficulties should not
be bothered with the military.
| The Cavalier daily Friday, March 20, 1970 | |