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We all appreciate the fact that NC State produces outstanding scientists, engineers, agriculture
experts and successful entrepreneurs, to name a few. But today we want to take a few minutes
to acknowledge our alumni who have excelled in the military.
For 125 years, NC State has produced outstanding military leaders!
In the university’s earlier days, students were required to wear uniforms and march in
military drills. In 1917, the Reserve Officer Training Corps began, and it required two
years of participation of all male students until the 1960s. Many of those same young
men graduated and translated those two years into decorated careers of service in the armed
forces.
As a result, NC State has seen its alumni become accomplished leaders in all branches
of service.
Our alumni have served as admirals in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard. We’ve
produced generals in the U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force, Army, Air National Guard, Army
Reserve and the Army National Guard.
We have more than 63 alumni who have earned the rank of brigadier general or higher, some
of whom have achieved four-star rank.
The NC State alumni who elected to make the military a career dedicated their lives to
leadership. They commanded fronts in World War II and forces in Vietnam and Korea. They’ve
led coalition forces in Just Cause in Panama, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. And today
they still protect our freedom.
Today, they serve in all branches, and regardless of rank, there is one common element they
all share – the NC State leadership experience. Our university has and always will provide
the leadership foundation to help those military leaders navigate through difficult challenges
requiring tremendous service and sacrifice. It will always be their legal, ethical and
moral True North.