History of the USC NROTC Alumni League
The USC NROTC was established on the USC Campus in 1940 under the command of Captain Reed M. Fawell, USN. During the following years, the unit operated on a reserve status until Jul 1943, when the NROTC was put on active duty with pay. The unit was housed in Elizabeth Von Kleinschmidt Hall (now Hubbard Hall) which had previously been a women’s dormitory. Those of us who were there became a closely bonded family of young men who lived together, studied together, marched together, and by classes were commissioned ensigns and sent to various duty assignments in the Atlantic and Pacific war zones. After losing contact with many of our shipmates, who were scattered all over the world, Dr. Robert “Bob” Stevens, class of Feb 1944, decided to organize a 20th year reunion for the year 1964. That reunion was held at Allen Center Terminal Island with approximately 150 of the original 400 graduates of the war years. It was a huge success.
In 1981, Art Millbern, class of Feb 1944, called Bob Stevens, his old classmate, and asked him for his help in forming an organization to put on a 40th year reunion in the year 1984. Of course, Bob was delighted. After many committee meetings and intense search for shipmates lead by George Stone, Class of Feb 1944, we assembled approximately 165 shipmates at the Saddle Back Inn, Santa Ana California, to prepare for 1984. Among the many contributors to various committee activities was John Franklin, Class of Feb 1944.
John thought, “Why not have an alumni support group for the current day midshipmen?” The idea was presented at an October 1982 luncheon of former USC NROTC graduates, and it was enthusiastically received by all attendees. With the support of the NROTC Commanding Officer, Col C.J. Horn, USMC, Franklin and other NROTC alumni developed the framework for the “Alumni League.” Thus, the USC NROTC Alumni League was born in 1982 as an official support organization of the university.
John asked reunion chairman Art Millbern to conduct meetings and assist him as president to organize a USC NROTC Alumni League. John laboriously wrote the original constitution and bylaws. He later put together detailed packages of material to show other NROTC units how to organize alumni leagues. These packages were sent to all NROTC units then in existence. Many of the now functioning NROTC Alumni Associations originated from John Franklin’s efforts. John was a long-time member of the Beverly Hills Navy League and that is where our name came from.
In March of 1984, Art Millbern, as chairman with many committee assistants staged a three day 40th reunion at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Long Beach. Over 300 men and women attended this gala affair. Thanks to Col Horn and his staff, The reunion was enhanced by a Drill Team performance in the ballroom and the USC NROTC sailboat, Sea Traveler, was made available, with crew, for bay cruises. This reunion was a great success in reuniting old friends and inspired a desire to organize future meetings.
From those early beginnings, the USC NROTC Alumni League has grown and prospered! The Founder’s Group, from the wartime classes of the 1940s, was the main spark plug to energize the new organization and to provide support to the Trojan battalion.
Following the 50th anniversary reunion, held at the Balboa Bay Club in 1994, it was decided to expand the membership of the Alumni League beyond the Founder’s Group of the 1940s to all those who have graduated from the USC NROTC program and were commissioned as Navy or Marine Corps officers. Members of other decades joined the Board of Directors and the Alumni League continued to grow and increase its support of the Trojan Battalion. The 60th anniversary reunion was held at the Irvine Marriott in July 2000, helping the Alumni League kick off the new millennium.
Over the past 40+ years the growing success of the Alumni League has come about because of dedicated service by many members who want to “give back” to the NROTC program at USC that was such an influential part of their lives. Financial support by our members has allowed the Alumni League leadership team to provide tangible support in the form of much-needed scholarship assistance; investment in computer systems dedicated for use by the midshipmen; expense assistance for the award-winning Trojan Drill Team; and awarding of officer swords to top graduates each year.
Alumni League. . .in the Beginning
by Col C.J. Horn, USMC (Ret), Reprinted from The Log, Fall/Winter 2019
I assumed command of the USC Naval ROTC in July, 1982, relieving Captain Ben Sutherlin, U. S. Navy. As he was leaving, he said that some Trojan midshipmen from the 1940’s had approached him to discuss forming an alumni group with the University. When he told them about the impending change of command, they all agreed to wait until I arrived. Indeed, within days of my arrival I was visited by a group which included John Franklin, George Stone, and Art Millbern. They said that in the intervening years since they had attended USC, some of them would occasionally gather and talk about their student days and military services. Eventually, several came up with the idea of forming a more official group of their shipmates and be connected with the University.
John Franklin told me they were excited about what they wanted to do, but weren’t sure how to become an official group within USC. It was pretty obvious to me that they were determined and knew what they wanted to do. Even though I was new and not a former midshipman myself, I thought they were onto something special. They impressed me with their deep affection and pride for USC, the Naval Services, and the NROTC. Plus, they aid they would love to help the current unit in any way they could. I was more than happy to help and worked closely with them.
I briefed their request to the Dean of the School of Public Administration, which had oversight of the three ROTC’s, and he said he would gladly support the idea. We then briefed the Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET) and received the blessing from that staff. With great enthusiasm, John Franklin and a growing number of his shipmates, some of whom were still active in their careers, went right to work. One of the really important early tasks was researching and then contacting former midshipmen (which is still ongoing). At the same time they began to build an organizational chart and a financial plan.
It is impossible to list all the early key players and achievements, but it is appropriate to name a few. John Franklin, of course, probably put in the most hours, days, and effort in the beginning. Art Millbern and Bob Benner seemed to offer needed organizational skills. Bob Stevens, former Midshipman Battalion Commander, exuded timely insight and leadership. Bryan (Bill) Stevens mentored the sailing program for the midshipmen and wrote the first newsletters, which were the precursor of The Log.
So much happened so fast that the success and accomplishments of these early pioneers is hard to believe. They said they wanted to “help” the NROTC Unit. Wow, have they ever! They and the present Naval ROTC Alumni League have provided amazing financial support, awards, funded a computer lab, assisted the sailing program, to list some of their “help.” And, like any such organization, they have provided for social affairs, tours, luncheons, business meetings, and other gatherings. An interesting sidelight: Indicative of the pride and conviction of their nascent alumni league idea, John Franklin sent out “start-up kits” to all the other 65 NROTC’s in the country. We have learned that some of those units started similar programs.
Finally, a special note of appreciation to a well-known and much-loved member of the University of Southern California, Dean Norman Fertig. Although not a product of the NROTC, Dr. Fertig was a Navy combat veteran (Battle of Okinawa), who knew USC like no one else. In the formative years of the Alumni League he graciously and wisely offered insight and a steady hand as the League grew. In showing his care and sponsorship of the NROTC program, he traveled to Lubbock, Texas, to participate in the dedication ceremony of the new unit at Texas Tech University where I was assigned after my tour at USC.
Finally, my wife, Suzi, and I are so proud to be associated with the Alumni League. I am also pleased to see the ongoing leadership of Captain Paul Alwine and others as they nurture the continued growth. I have been able to follow the progress of the League for 37 years now, mostly through copies of The Log, which is so timely, newsy, and very informative.
In a way that the Navy understands, the formation and finished product of the Alumni League reminds me of “new ship construction.” This group started with little more than a great idea and energetic workers and built a beautiful ship. BZ!