ROTC Program Ending at Ripon College Following U.S. Army Rebalance Plan

Message from President Folse…

Dear Campus Community,

Over the last week, the United States Army Cadet Command (USACC) publicly released its Rebalance and Optimization Plan, which impacts several Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs across the country. As part of this reorganization, Ripon College was informed that the Fox Valley Battalion — the ROTC program to which Ripon belongs — will be inactivated.
This decision effectively ends the ROTC program not only at Ripon College but also at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, St. Norbert College, UW–Green Bay, and Marian University, all of which fall under the umbrella of the Fox Valley Battalion.

Transition Plan and Student Support

The inactivation process will begin this fall. While current cadets will be offered limited courses in Military Science, underclassmen and incoming students will not be able to enroll in ROTC this academic year. Ripon College is reaching out individually to all impacted students to provide guidance and support.
It is important to emphasize that this decision was made by the U.S. Army, not Ripon College. Additionally, no Ripon College staff positions are affected by this change.

A Proud Legacy

We are deeply disheartened by this news, and believe this decision will have a negative impact on providing access and impact, including core leadership development, of future generations. Established in 1919, Ripon’s ROTC program was one of the first in the state of Wisconsin. Over the past century, thousands of Ripon students have participated, and remarkably, seven of our alumni have gone on to become generals in the U.S. Army — one of the highest cadet-to-general ratios in the country.

While our ROTC program may be ending, its legacy will remain an indelible part of Ripon College’s history. If you are interested in learning more about this legacy, we invite you to explore a comprehensive history of the program, compiled by Ripon College research students in 1995.

To All Who Served

I’d like to thank all who have participated in the ROTC program over the last 100+ years — including cadets, faculty, and civilian liaisons. A special note of gratitude goes to our Military Science faculty, including SFC Marques Johnson and PMS Lt Col Jon Doiron, whose dedication and leadership have shaped the lives of so many students.

For Questions and Support

If you or a student have any questions regarding their ROTC involvement, please reach out to me or Ripon College’s Office of the Registrar or contact Lt Col Jon Doiron at [email protected].
We are grateful for the generations of service-minded students who have embraced the ROTC, and we remain committed to honoring their contributions in the years to come.

Best,
President Folse