MACOMB (WGEM) – Western Illinois University is among 10 colleges in the U.S. that will have their ROTC program discontinued after the 2025-2026 school year, according to the Department of the Army.
Vice President for Student Success, Justin Schuch, said administrators were notified by the Army via email at the end of June. Programs at several dozen other colleges, including Northern Illinois University, will merge administrative and logistical support with a retained host unit.
“We were certainly caught off guard,” Schuch said.
Schuch told WGEM News that the Army provided no reason as to why WIU’s program specifically is being cut.
“We weren’t given and specifics or any details on what the methodology behind deciding different campuses was,” he said.
A release from the Army states that “In alignment with the principles of the Army Transformation Initiative, U.S. Army Cadet Command is implementing a strategic rebalance and optimization of the Senior ROTC program. These adjustments will optimize resources, improve operational effectiveness, and maintain the Army’s commitment to recruiting, training, and commissioning high-quality officers for the Total Army.”
The release also states that Cadet Command reduced its civilian workforce by 168 positions, roughly 12% of its authorized workforce, which prompted a reassessment of the ROTC footprint.
Founded in 1968, WIU’s ROTC program has produced over 1,000 officers and currently enrolls 44 students.
Mick Cumbie, who served as chair for military science and leader of the ROTC program, said he met with WIU leadership earlier this week.
“I suggested to them there might be a small window in which to argue that, rather for termination of the program for a transition to another state of the program,” Cumbie said.
Cumbie served in his capacity at Western for 5 years. He said 121 new Army lieutenants were commissioned in that time.
He remembers the program for producing quality leaders.
“In 57 years they’ve produced 1,150 officers,” Cumbie said. “That’s over 20 per year. It may not sound like a lot, but in the ROTC world it’s a lot, and for a school the size of Western it’s an extraordinary number.”
In April, WIU was received a Military Friendly School designation for the 16th consecutive year, earning a silver award for its work supporting veterans and active service military.
In 1927, Western State Teachers College, as it was known then, was awarded permission to use the Marine’s official seal, the bulldog seal, and the name Leathernecks. This was led by Col. Ray “Rock” Hanson, who served in the Marine Corps during World War and later became the head coach of Western’s football, basketball, and baseball teams.
Schuch said WIU will contact the Army and see if there’s a way to keep the ROTC program alive.
“We’re going to be open to however we can to make sure ROTC still has a strong presence at WIU,” Schuch said.
Schuch urges supporters of ROTC to reach out to legislators at the national level to voice their support.
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