Military Activities at the University
of California during World War I
Reserve Officers Training Corps: In 1916, the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
was established, and on 17 April 1917 the University included
this program in the standard curriculum, replacing the previously
state organized University Cadets. The cadet corps expanded to
over 1,500 male students; they continued to be organized into
an infantry regiment of three battalions.
The concept of cadet summer training was
developed and voluntary encampments for practical military instruction
were established at such locations as Pacific Grove, California,
and at the Presidio in San Francisco.
Signal Corps School of Military Aeronautics:
Established 21 May 1917 with a
capacity of 1,020 students.. On 27 June 1917, a contract was
entered into between the Signal Corps, U. S. Army, for and in
behalf of the United States of America, and the University of
California, whereby the University of California agreed to provide,
properly equip and maintain a School of Military Aeronautics
for giving ground training to officers and enlisted men of the
Signal Corps. It was agreed that the University of California
hereby agreed to an enlargement of the course of instruction
given to officers and enlisted men of the Signal Corps in the
School of Military Aeronautics from a course of eight (8) weeks
to a course of ten (10) or twelve (12) weeks, as the Chief Signal
Officer directed.
Squadron 38, School
of Military Aeronautics, University of California, Class of 13
April 1918
Other Signal Corps Training Conducted
at the University of California: In
addition of the School of Military Aeronautics, the US Army Signal
Corps conducted the following technical courses for up to 300
soldiers at the University of California:
Multiplex Telegrapher Course: 4 months
Basic Radio Communications Course: 3 months
Radio Electrician Course: 13 weeks
Telephone Electrician Course: 13 weeks
Field Signal Battalion Officer Candidate
Course: 13 weeks
Radio Operator Course: 8 weeks
Telegraph Operator Course: 8 weeks
Military Photographer Course: Varied upon
proficiency.
Meteorologist Course: Varied upon proficiency.
US Army Training Detachments and Students'
Army Training Corps: As America
entered World War I the U.S. War Department inaugurated the Students’
Army Training Corps, a program designed to use existing colleges
and universities as training facilities for new military personnel.
Instructors were to be hired under a temporary contract, with
the universities and colleges subsequently reimbursed by the
government for the added expense of providing facilities and
staff for the Corps.
Students Army Training
Corps at the University of California (UC Photo)
From The California Alumni Fortnightly,
Vol XI, No. 11, 1 September 1918:
Students Army Training Corps Plans
Still Provisional. The following statement relative to Students
Army Training Corps Is issued the President's office It should
be that the information below is provisional subject to change
upon receipt of further advices from Washington Ed:
A unit of the Students Army Corps has
been established at the of California All registrants under the
Selective Service Act who have been to the University in Regular
standing eligible for enlistment in the Corps. The method in
admission is by voluntary induction or draft The procedure is
as follows Immediately upon receipt of the certificate admission
the student must report to University at the office of the officer
of the Corps at the University enlistment. A physical examination
will required and in other respects the usual routine for induction
into the service will followed. After the acceptance of the applicant
the enlisting officer notifies the local board that the student
has been inducted into the Students Army Corps.
Members of the Corps will be on status
and will receive $30.00 per month from the date of enlistment
When the draft number of an enlisted man is called his scholastic
and military attainments will be reviewed for the purpose of
whether he shall be continued as a member of the Corps or shall
be transferred to training camps for officers or non commissioned
officers or shall be assigned to a depot brigade as private.
If he is retained for further instruction at the University in
addition to the allowance of $30.00 housing and subsistence will
be provided No definite statement can be made as to how long
a man will be continued in the training corps He may be sent
to an advanced training camp at any time or he may be continued
for further study in a technical field such as chemistry engineering
or medicine. Provision will be made for students under 18 to
enroll in the Students Army Training Corps for the purpose of
receiving military instruction but they cannot enlist until they
have been registered under the draft law. Such students will
not be paid nor will they receive any commutation for subsistance
or quarters.
The question of supplying them with
uniforms has not at this time been settled. Students and prospective
students of the University of California intending to enter at
the beginning of the fall half year should notify the Recorder's
office at once. No further action need be taken by the student
until the University opens
Sources:
University of California
website
Order of Battle of United
States Land Forces in the World War (1931-1949)
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