To the University community,
The Slippery Rock University U.S. Army ROTC program has been an integral component of our campus and community since 1980. Regrettably, as part of the Army’s strategic rebalance and optimization efforts, our ROTC program has been reclassified from a host unit to an extension unit due to personnel changes across the Army’s civilian workforce.
Our cadets and commissioned officers are a source of pride, and we remain committed to fostering their personal growth and development as future leaders despite this change in classification.
Our cadre members will remain on campus, and our program will continue to grow, so that all cadets may continue to receive their invaluable training and education. Although administrative and logistical support will now be merged with a retained host unit, the core of our program remains firmly rooted at SRU.
We are incredibly proud of our Frontier Battalion’s consistent achievements and national recognition, which include:
- Being recognized as the third largest producer of PA National Guard Officers in 2024, and being nominated for the prestigious George C. Marshall honor for the No. 1 ROTC program in nation, in 2020.
- Numerous individual accomplishments, such as Bret Rogowitz being named the nation’s Recruiting Operations Officer of the Year in 2022, and cadets like Wyatt, Wile and Budi achieving top national rankings in the past three years.
- Strong performance in rigorous competitions like Ranger Challenge and active participation in various Army specialty schools and internships.
Our ROTC program is at the heart of our community, with cadets joining us from the greater Pittsburgh area and urban areas within a 30-mile radius. Our graduates make significant contributions to the success of our region and beyond.
SRU remains fully dedicated to supporting our Army ROTC program, our cadets, and their families through this transition. We couldn’t be more proud of them, and we look forward to continued success.
Sincerely,
Karen Riley, Ph.D.
President
