South Dakota State University. Department of Military Science

Military instruction has long been a part of campus life at South Dakota State University. The Morrill Act of 1862, which established the nation's land-grant colleges, required institutions to offer instruction in “military tactics.” At SDSU, formal military classes began in September 1884 under Professor Robert F. Kerr. Instruction consisted of lectures, recitations, and regular drills. Until 1918, the university met federal military training requirements through mandatory drills and academic coursework led by civilian faculty.

The National Defense Act of 1916 established the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), which standardized military training across all land-grant institutions, including SDSU. ROTC replaced the earlier system with a formalized structure directed by the War Department, which set the curriculum and provided personnel and equipment. Local land-grant colleges served as the headquarters for their respective ROTC programs.

One notable figure in SDSU’s ROTC history is General Omar Bradley, who served as Professor of Military Science at the university. While best known for commanding the largest U.S. field force during World War II and becoming the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Bradley also gave SDSU’s Army ROTC its enduring nickname: “The West Point of the Plains,” a title still embraced by cadets and alumni.

ROTC participation was once compulsory for underclassmen, who were required to complete two years of basic military training. Selected upperclassmen could choose to pursue advanced training. Initially, SDSU’s program included multiple service branches, but by 1942—when DePuy Military Hall was built—training was limited to Army and Air Force ROTC. ROTC remained mandatory for all male freshmen and sophomores until 1969, when the South Dakota Board of Regents made participation voluntary. Despite the change, the program has remained active, with students continuing to enroll.

Today, the Army ROTC program at SDSU offers training in leadership, ethics, management, and personal development, preparing cadets for service as commissioned officers in the Army, Army National Guard, or Army Reserve. Through classroom instruction, hands-on exercises, and field training, cadets gain the skills and values essential to military and civilian leadership.