Navy Deactivates ROTC Unit Here After Four Years

Graduating in the next class of the activated war-time program, 117 NROTC trainees will next month leave the Yard and their text-books behind as they head for sea-duty or civilian life.

College men who have not completed their course by the end of the term will be discharged with the opportunity of enrolling in the peace-time NROTC program when they return to Cambridge next fall.

66 of the embroyo ensigns have signified their intention of accepting commissions on an active duty basis, while the remainder will become officers in the Naval Reserve. At least 28 of these will return to the University in the fall term.

The Crimson-trained sailors will be awarded their degrees and commissions June 6, in the Commencement ceremonies, and most of those electing active duty will promptly head for a year's tour of service with the fleet.

The Ocean Test

The former NROTC men can utilize their cruise as a probationary period, applying for a transfer from USNR to USN if they find the salt air agrees with them.

Set up in 1926, as one of the original NROTC units, the University Naval establishment was first activated in 1942, when the trainees were enlisted as apprentice seamen in the V-1 program. The next year they were transferred to the V-12 and called up to active duty.

The 1,105 trainees of 1943 were quartered in Eliot and Kirkland Houses. Since Kirkland has already been returned to civilian use, the resumption of a peace-time NROTC program in the fall and the decommissioning of Eliot House will complete the reorganization of the Department of Naval Science in a peace-time status.