Military Science was established as an integral part of the academic curriculum of Clemson University beginning in 1893 with the institution’s first full time academic year of operation.

The following extracts from the Regulations for the Government of Cadets explain the organization and mode of government of the corps:

1. The President of the College shall have the general command and government of the institution, watching over its administration, discipline and instruction.

2. The Commandant of Cadets, under the President of the College, has immediate command and control of the Corps of Cadets in all that pertains to its organization, drill, military police, discipline and administration. He is charged with the instruction of the cadets in the theoretical military course and in all practical military exercises. He will prescribe the order in which the furniture, bedding, books, clothing, equipments, etc., shall be arranged throughout the barracks, and shall, in person, make a minute and thorough inspection of the rooms, furniture, arms and accoutrements, etc., of the cadets at least once each week, and make a report hereon to the President.

Commandants* 1894 – 1896 T.Q. Donaldson, Jr. 1896 – 1898 Ezra Bond Fuller 1898 – 1901 A.G. Shanklin, Acting Commandant 1902 – 1904 Edgar Alexander Sirmyer 1904 – 1907 Charles Donald Clay 1907 – 1909 Joseph C. Minus 1909 Andrew Bramlett, Acting Commandant 1909 – 1912 Marcus Butler Stokes 1912 – 1916 Joseph Michael Cummins 1916 – 1917 Ralph Allen Jones 1917 – 1919 Henry F. McFeeley 1919 – 1921 Joseph Michael Cummins 1921 – 1924 Madison Pearson 1924 – 1928 Otis Robert Cole 1928 – 1932 Fred L. Munson 1932 – 1936 R. John West 1936 T.S. Moorman 1936 – 1939 Charles Warren Weeks 1939 – 1943 Herbert Marshall Pool 1943 – 1946 William Alexander Cunningham 1946 May 1 Albert Jerome Thackston, Jr., Acting Commandant 1946(9)–1948(6/30) Albert Jerome Thackson, Jr. 1948 W. S. Morris 1949(9)–1954(2) Forrest Eugene Cookson 1954(3)–1955(1/18) Richard Joseph Werner 1955 (2/5) Lloyd H. Tull

In 1955, the trustees of Clemson College took steps toward becoming a full university resulting in the Corps of Cadets being abolished. The ROTC basic program remained mandatory for only freshmen and sophomore males until 1969. For those students who matriculated initially at Clemson after the spring semester 1970, ROTC was no longer a requirement for graduation.

*Sources consulted include Announcements, the college catalog, TAPS, the school yearbook, and minutes of the Board of Trustees.

1924 – 1928

Otis Robert Cole

1928 – 1932

Fred L. Munson

1932 – 1936

R. John West

1936

T.S. Moorman

1936 – 1939

Charles Warren Weeks

1939 – 1943

Herbert Marshall Pool

1943 – 1946

William Alexander Cunningham

1946 May 1

Albert Jerome Thackston, Jr., Acting Commandant

1946 (9) – 1948 (6/30)

Albert Jerome Thackston, Jr.

1948

W. S. Morris

1949 (9) – 1954 (2)

Forrest Eugene Cookson

1954 (3) – 1955 (1/18)

Richard Joseph Werner

1955 (2/5)

Lloyd H. Tull

In 1955, the trustees of Clemson College took steps toward becoming a full university resulting in the Corps of Cadets being abolished. The ROTC basic program remained mandatory for only freshmen and sophomore males until 1969. For those students who matriculated initially at Clemson after the spring semester 1970, ROTC was no longer a requirement for graduation.

_{*Sources consulted include Announcements, the college catalog, TAPS, the school yearbook, and minutes of the Board of Trustees.}