[2][3] By the fall of 1952 forty percent of the incoming freshmen class at Harvard University enrolled in programs that led to a ROTC commission.

[4] In 1969, in the middle of sometimes violent protests over the Vietnam War, Harvard downgraded the status of ROTC to an extracurricular activity.

[8][9] Harvard University President Drew Faust promised a return of ROTC to campus, once DADT was repealed, in a speech with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen at the Kennedy School of Government on 17 November 2010.

[11][12] According to the agreement's terms, a Director of Naval ROTC would be appointed, and Harvard would provide funding for the program.

[13][14] President Barack Obama, who in his 2011 State of the Union address called on all universities to open their doors to ROTC,[15] responded through his spokesman by saying: With our nation at war, this sends a powerful message that Americans stand united and that our colleges, society and armed forces are stronger when we honor the contributions of all our citizens, especially our troops and military families who sacrifice for our freedoms.