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2009 SESSION


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 39
Encouraging the public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth to fully support the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program by providing full academic credit toward a baccalaureate degree for students participating in the program.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 21, 2009

 

WHEREAS, from the Revolutionary War until the present, Virginia boasts a tradition of long-standing support for the nation's military forces and for the development of military leaders who have gone on to lead the nation's armed forces in peace and war; and

WHEREAS, the continuing strong ties that Virginia has to the country's military is evidenced by the many Department of Defense, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard installations currently located in the state; and

WHEREAS, Virginia enjoys economic benefits derived from the population of military and defense contractors located in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the high caliber of today's enlisted force requires a constant flow of well-trained leaders in sufficient number to provide adequate leadership; and

WHEREAS, this need for a sufficient number of well-trained military leaders is punctuated by the country's current engagement in two major wars overseas while at the same time defending the homeland against terrorist attack; and

WHEREAS, approximately 4,500 lieutenants receive a commission every year from the nation's ROTC programs as it is the largest source of commissioned officers for the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force; and

WHEREAS, the ROTC programs at institutions of higher education provide students with the tools, training, and experiences necessary to become officers in the United States military while simultaneously earning an undergraduate degree; and

WHEREAS, having an increased presence of future military leaders on campus to interact with civilian students could encourage critical thinking, debate, and awareness; thereby positively affecting recruitment and strengthening the military; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to encourage participation in ROTC programs at institutions of higher education located in the Commonwealth and for such institutions to fully support ROTC programs; and

WHEREAS, providing full academic credit for ROTC courses toward a baccalaureate degree for students participating in ROTC programs at institutions of higher education located in the Commonwealth is one way in which such institutions can exhibit full support for ROTC programs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth be encouraged to fully support the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program by providing full academic credit toward a baccalaureate degree for students participating in the program; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to the boards of visitors of every public institution of higher education in Virginia, requesting that the boards of visitors further disseminate copies of this resolution to their respective constituents so that they may be apprised of the sense of the House of Delegates in this matter.