The Stalwart Battalion at Syracuse University can trace its roots back to the earliest days of Syracuse University’s historic commitment to veterans. During World War I the Student Army Training Corps, which was the precursor to today’s Reserve Officer Training Corps, began educating students for crucial roles in military service.
Syracuse University’s ROTC program has since become the longest continuously running ROTC program in the country. Many schools chose to disband or suspend their ROTC programs amidst the height of Vietnam War protests, but Syracuse University continued these vital programs despite active protests on campus at the time.
With the inclusion of the U.S. Air Force ROTC program, Syracuse University is now involved in developing tomorrow’s military officers who will lead tomorrow’s troops through new and unfathomable challenges in an ever-changing world.
To learn about the impact Syracuse University’s military-connected alumni are having in military service today, the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs launched the “Where Are They Now” campaign, designed to showcase the incredible accomplishments of these military officers.
U.S. Army Captain William Northrop ’19 & U.S Army 1st Lieutenant John Northrop ‘22
The Northrop brothers grew up with Orange running through their veins. Their father, Dana Northrop ‘86, graduated from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and their mother, Kristen Northrop, has worked at Newhouse for more than 14 years. William graduated from the College of Engineering and Computer Science with a degree in civil engineering, and John graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences with a degree in sociology.
The brothers were able to share in the college experience together while William was a Senior and John was a Freshman. In addition to being ROTC cadets in the Stalwart Battalion at the same time, the pair also played on the same lacrosse club.
“The Stalwart Battalion taught me a multitude of invaluable lessons that I have carried forward with me during my career so far,” says William, who is currently a AH-64D Apache pilot stationed in Texas, while John is currently undergoing flight training in Alabama to become a CH-47 Chinook pilot.
U.S. Air Force Captain Sharon Otasowie L’21
Captain Sharon Otasowie came to Syracuse University’s College of Law prior to launching herself into a legal career in the U.S. Air Force. She currently serves as a Chief of Military Justice at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico as an officer in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps. In her role she provides legal advice to commanders on disciplinary matters and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, as well as “Hearing from other JAG officers going through the same program, and the hardships their schools put them through, made me so grateful that Syracuse was not only down the road from me, but so easy and smooth to work with,” says Otasowie.
“My experience was wonderful, and I continue to recommend Syracuse to many of the military members who talk about going to school. I think ROTC provided a much better understanding of the Air Force, and the cadre were amazing. They were understanding and helpful. The university as a whole was accommodating with my schedule with law school, as well as even paying for credits for extra classes I took through ROTC,” Otasowie says.
The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs will continue to highlight the profiles of these accomplished alumni, but to learn more about Syracuse University’s historic commitment to training and preparing tomorrow’s military leaders, visit the OVMA’s website and discover the rewarding possibilities available through the Reserve Officer Training Corps.