The Reserve Officers' Training Corps was established by the National Defense Act of 1916 to train men on college campuses who were to be commissioned. However, the campaign to establish a Senior ROTC detachment at East Tennessee State College was by no means an easy task. In 1950, University President Dr. C. C. Sherrod, was invited by the Commanding General of the Third Army to attend a regional ROTC conference at Georgia Tech. The conference was being held to consider all aspects of the Senior ROTC program. Burgin Dossett, who had become the new University President, considered this letter to be an invitation to start a Senior ROTC program at East Tennessee State College. Dr. Dossett was mistaken. Headquarters, Third Army, did not know that Dr. Dossett had replaced Dr. Sherrod as president, and Sherrod had been specifically invited as president of the Tennessee College Association.

The conference at Georgia Tech was cancelled due to the outbreak of the Korean War. Dossett, however, had set himself on a personal quest to establish a ROTC unit at East Tennessee State College. Dr. Dossett wrote to Colonel W. I. Sherwood, Chief of the Tennessee Military District, explaining that the facilities at East Tennessee State College were indeed adequate to accommodate a ROTC department. An inspection was held and the results were favorable. Of the 20 schools inspected, Memphis State Teachers College, Vanderbilt University, East Tennessee State College and Austin Peay College were recommended.

In November 1950, Dossett received a letter from the Commanding General of the Third Army requesting that East Tennessee State College formally apply for a Senior ROTC unit. Unfortunately, when the board met two months later, East Tennessee State College was not one of the 36 selected from 275 applicants.

In February 1951, Dossett applied for an Air Force ROTC unit but, on April 20, East Tennessee State College was again turned down for the establishment of a ROTC program. A year later and after a second application, an Army ROTC unit was assigned to East Tennessee State College on May 12, 1952. The program was made mandatory for all physically qualified male freshmen.

In 1953, East Tennessee State College held the first commissioning ceremony for two new second lieutenants, 2nd Lieutenant William Ray Abner and 2nd Lieutenant James Potter, Jr. Two years later, the class of '55 commissioned the first of it's seven future general officers:

• Brigadier General Jere Hickman, class of '55
• Brigadier General Billy J. Stalcup, class of '57
• Major General Ronald Brooks, class of '61
• Major General Dennis V. Crumley, class of '61
• Lieutenant General Hubert Smith, class of '62
• Lieutenant General Ronald Hite, class of '64
• Major General Gary Harrell, class of '72

ETSU ROTC alumni have given their lives while serving in the United States Army on active duty. Nine of the alumni died in the Vietnam Conflict and one in Desert Storm.

• Captain Alvin K. Broyles 28 April 1965
• Captain Donald J. Fillers 28 May 1965
• Captain Eugene D. Franklin 24 June 1965
• Major Billy J. Nave 27 June 1966
• First Lieutenant Douglas L. Jones 12 October 1966
• Captain Gordon O. Walsh 16 April 1967
• First Lieutenant Daniel L. Mullins 31 August 1967
• Captain James E. Reed 1 February 1968
• First Lieutenant James D. Dugger 16 October 1972
• Captain Daniel E. Graybeal 27 February 1991

The most recent East Tennessee State University commissioned officer to lose his life while serving on active duty was 2nd Lieutenant Robert Thorne. He graduated from East Tennessee State University and the ROTC program in May 1994 and died in January 1996.

It is important to note that most Military Science students do not become career officers, but the training received in Military Science extends to the civilian world in leadership capacities. Many of our commissioned officers are very successful in the civilian world. Some have maintained their ties with the military through the Reserves or the National Guard. Listed below are just a few of our commissioned officers who achieved success outside of the military.

• Mr. Frank Little (New York Opera) Class of '58
• Public Defender David Bautista Class of '61
• Judge William N. Cates, Atlanta, GA Class of '64
• State Attorney David Crockett Class of '64
• Former Johnson City Mayor Dan Mahoney Class of '66

As with any ongoing institute, ROTC at East Tennessee State College had to evolve with the times. In 1953, the Sponsor Corps was formed to enable females to be a part of the ROTC program. In 1964, Military Science became an approved minor.

During the turbulent 70's, East Tennessee State University students engaged in protests. Anti-military sentiment was expressed. Enough protesting occurred to make the administration rethink its former requirement of mandatory ROTC for all physically able males, and in 1972, ROTC became voluntary. Although East Tennessee State University was to have no more large companies of cadets, the cadets were those who wanted to learn leadership traits. One could equate this with the Volunteer Army (VOLAR) program. VOLAR changed the flavor of the Army in much the same way the volunteer ROTC changed forever the Military Science Department.

The AUSA (Association of the United States Army) A. K. Broyles Chapter at East Tennessee State University has been a credit to the Buccaneer Battalion throughout the 40 years of East Tennessee State University ROTC. CPT Alvin K. Broyles, for whom the chapter is named, was an outstanding student and leader in ROTC, his fraternity, and in the general campus life. The AUSA chapter at East Tennessee State University is held in high regard nationally and accomplishes much for the community. In 1999 at the annual US Army 10-mile competition held at the Pentagon, East Tennessee State University's AUSA 10-mile team placed second of 48 university teams from around the nation. In addition, the AUSA organization sponsors various Military Science Department activities. In the community, cadets of the AUSA chapter have raised money for the family of a Desert Storm soldier and the Johnson City Ronald McDonald House, and volunteered time at the Johnson City Boys Club.

The Eddie Reed Ranger Company was established here at East Tennessee State University in the early 1970's. Cadets of the Ranger Company are instructed on advanced patrolling techniques above the curriculum of the military skills classes, giving the cadets an edge over their peers when competing for active duty commissions at advanced camp. The Ranger Company also represents the East Tennessee State University ROTC program at the annual Ranger Challenge competition. East Tennessee State University's Rangers have developed a reputation for displaying professionalism, dedication to excellence and the desire to lead by example.

Until a change in policy led to it's end in 1986, the rifle team was a nationally recognized team. A look at the results of the matches shows East Tennessee State University to have been a constantly winning team. Cadet John Sheffey (now Colonel Sheffey) was an All-American. Over the years East Tennessee State University produced several All-Americans from its rifle team.

In the civilian community, the ROTC department serves as military expert/analyst as needs arise. If an event of military importance arises, one will see the current Professor of Military Science on the local news. If an event is upcoming that requires a military ceremony, the ROTC program at East Tennessee State University will be asked to help. The Professors of Military Science at the university are considered an integral part of the community.

As we look back over the years, the Department of Military Science has been a highly successful department within the University, and nationally. Likewise, East Tennessee State University's Army ROTC program has been a vital part of the Johnson City community.