FORT KNOX, Ky. — 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.
Through the Department of Defense’s Deferred Resignation Program, Cadet Command reduced its civilian workforce by 168 positions, or approximately 12 percent of its authorized workforce. These reductions prompted a reassessment of the ROTC footprint to ensure continued mission success while operating with fewer civilian personnel.
The rebalancing effort includes the inactivation of the 1st Brigade headquarters at Fort Knox and the inactivation, reclassification and merger of select ROTC units around the country, starting in the summer of 2026. These changes will improve efficiency by consolidating and restructuring select host and extension units while preserving access to ROTC programs on approximately 900 campuses nationwide. The initiative prioritizes reversibility, allowing the Army to scale officer production as necessary in the future while avoiding hollow units. This improves Army readiness by reallocating senior officers and non-commissioned officers to other Army priorities.
"This rebalance and optimization effort ensures we meet the Army’s requirements for officer commissioning while being good stewards of resources," said Brig. Gen. Maurice Barnett, commanding general of U.S. Army Cadet Command. "Our approach allows us to sustain and strengthen ROTC programs while providing quality training to cadets across the country."
The adjustments reflect a deliberate, phased approach aimed at minimizing disruption to cadets, employees, and partner institutions. Cadet Command will provide affected personnel options aligned with collective bargaining agreements and applicable laws, regulations and policies. Impacted cadets are being offered options to continue their education and training.
"Throughout this process, our commitment remains unchanged — producing high-caliber officers of character to lead our Army," said Barnett. "We are working closely with our workforce, cadets and academic partners to ensure a smooth transition while preserving the quality of our ROTC programs."
U.S. Army Cadet Command will continue to engage stakeholders as we implement the optimization process. The command remains committed to providing future leaders with the training, education
and support necessary for their success in service to the nation.
It is important to note, these changes do not impact Cadet Command’s Junior ROTC programs at high schools around the country.
Definitions of ROTC program types:
- Host unit: A Senior ROTC program located at an institution with a formal agreement with the Secretary of the Army. Cadets attend training and classes on their home campus, and the institution is staffed with full-time ROTC personnel.
- Extension unit: A Senior ROTC program linked to a host institution but located at a separate campus. Cadets take ROTC courses at their own institution with full-time cadre assigned to their campus.
- Crosstown: An institution that allows students to enroll in ROTC courses hosted at a host or extension unit. Cadets travel for their training rather than having full-time ROTC cadre at their home institution.
A full list of the changes, which are expected to be implemented by the start of the 2026-2027 academic year, are listed below:
For questions concerning this announcement, please contact Mr. Ian Ives, (808) 367-5639, ian.e.ives.civ@army.mil or Rich Patterson, (502) 500-0988, richard.t.patterson2.civ@army.mil.
Inactivation of 1st Brigade Headquarters, Fort Knox, Kentucky
Senior ROTC programs at Senior Military Colleges and Military Junior Colleges will realign to other Cadet Command brigades with no impact to Cadet training.
List of Host Units being Inactivated (10)
These institutions will no longer have an affiliation with Army ROTC.
Institution Name (State)
- California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (Calif.)
- University of Northern Iowa (Iowa)
- Western Illinois University (Ill.)
- Truman State University (Mo.)
- Elizabeth City State University (N.C.)
- Saint Augustine's University (N.C.)
- Clarkson University (N.Y.)
- John Carroll University (Ohio)
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (Wis.)
- West Virginia State University (W.Va.)
List of Host Units Reclassifying to Extension Units (40)
These institutions will retain cadre members on their campus and Cadets will continue receiving training and education there, but the program will merge administrative and logistical support with a retained host unit.
Institution Name (State)
- Auburn University at Montgomery (Ala.)
- Tuskegee University (Ala.)
- University of South Alabama (Ala.)
- University of Arkansas Pine Bluff (Ark.)
- California State University - San Bernardino (Calif.)
- Howard University (District of Columbia)
- Augusta University (Ga.)
- University of Idaho (Idaho)
- Loyola University - Chicago (Ill.)
- Northern Illinois University (Ill.)
- Tulane University (La.)
- Northeastern University (Mass.)
- Loyola University - Maryland (Md.)
- Lincoln University (Mo.)
- Alcorn State University (Miss.)
- Duke University (N.C.)
- Wake Forest University (N.C.)
- University of North Dakota (N.D.)
- Seton Hall University (N.J.)
- St. John's University (N.Y.)
- University of Akron (Ohio)
- University of Toledo (Ohio)
- Xavier University (Ohio)
- Commonwealth University - Lock Haven (Pa.)
- Dickinson College (Pa.)
- Drexel University (Pa.)
- Slippery Rock University (Pa.)
- Providence College (R.I.)
- Furman University (S.C.)
- Wofford College (S.C.)
- Tennessee Technological University (Tenn.)
- University of Memphis (Tenn.)
- Prairie View A&M University (Texas)
- St. Mary’s University (Texas)
- Stephen F Austin State University (Texas)
- Hampton University (Va.)
- Norfolk State University (Va.)
- Eastern Washington University (Wash.)
- University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point (Wis.)
- Marshall University (W.Va.)
Hosts Reclassifying to Crosstown relationships (6)
These institutions will no longer host cadre members on their campuses, but Cadets will have options to continue an Army ROTC program while receiving training and education at a nearby campus.
Institution Name (State)
- Southern University and A&M College (La.)
- Eastern Michigan University (Mich.)
- Niagara University (N.Y.)
- Central State University (Ohio)
- University of Richmond (Va.)
- Carson-Newman University (Tenn.)
Extension Units being inactivated (9)
These institutions will no longer have an affiliation with Army ROTC.
Institution Name (State)
- University of California at Merced (Calif.)
- Buena Vista University (Iowa)
- University of Dubuque (Iowa)
- Idaho State University (Idaho)
- University of Nebraska - Kearney (Neb.)
- Millersville University (Pa.)
- Pennsylvania Western University - Clarion (Pa.)
- Texas A&M International University (Texas)
- St. Norbert College (Wis.)
Extension Units Reclassifying to Crosstown relationships (19)
These institutions will no longer host cadre members on their campuses, but Cadets will have options to continue in an Army ROTC program while receiving training and education at a nearby campus.
Institution Name (State/Territory)
- California State University - Los Angeles (Calif.)
- University of California – San Diego (Calif.)
- University of Northern Colorado (Colo.)
- University of Miami (Fla.)
- Georgia Southern (Armstrong Campus) (Ga.)
- Northwest Nazarene University (Idaho)
- Bradley University (Ill.)
- University of Chicago (Ill.)
- Chicago State University (Ill.)
- Indiana University Northwest (Ind.)
- Hood College (Md.)
- Winona State University (Minn.)
- Lindenwood University (Mo.)
- Davidson College (N.C.)
- Interamerican University (Metro San Juan) (Puerto Rico)
- Western Oregon University (Ore.)
- Tennessee State University (Tenn.)
- Texas A&M University San Antonio (Texas)
- Longwood University (Va.)
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