An emblem outside the UW-Oshkosh ROTC offices. July 7, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
RIPON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Ripon College’s Army ROTC program will continue after it was saved through a partnership with UW-Oshkosh.
As part of the revitalization of ROTC at Ripon, the college will establish a cross town partnership with the UW-Oshkosh, which will transition to a Cadet Command Extension Unit of Marquette University and be staffed by the Wisconsin Army National Guard.
“The Fox Valley ROTC program is excited that Ripon College will continue to be an important partner in producing high-quality leaders for the United States Army,” UWO Professor of Military Science and Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Doiron said. “Ripon College Cadets will continue to closely work with military science instructors based out of UWO to prepare for military service post-graduation. They will participate in military science coursework at the UWO campus and conduct weekly leadership laboratories with Cadets from across Northeastern Wisconsin. Under this arrangement, Ripon College Cadets will continue to have an impact across the United States Army and their community as the leaders of tomorrow.”
Following the initial decision to close the Fox Valley Battalion unit in June, the U.S. Army Cadet Command said the unit at UW-Oshkosh would remain operational under a modified structure. Rather than functioning as a host unit, UW-Oshkosh would act as an extension unit of Marquette University’s ROTC program.
Senior ROTC host units are ROTC programs with a full-time staff located on campus, providing Cadets with the opportunity to train and attend classes related to their military education. Extension units are linked to host institutions and have a more limited staff on campus, but still offer Cadets the flexibility to take ROTC courses at their own campus. Cross town institutions are linked to either host or extension units and offer Cadets the ability to participate in military science-related training and education at the linked institution.
Ripon students will continue their coursework at Ripon College, live on campus and participate in sports and clubs, while also attending military science classes and leadership labs at the UW-Oshkosh campus.
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