Recognizing the 70th Anniversary of Temple University's Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Red Diamond Battalion and honoring its tradition of excellence in providing quality Officers to the United States Army from the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Temple University’s Army ROTC Program was activated in August 1947 as a Medical Corps Unit at the Medical School and as a Transportation Corps Unit at the Main Campus, which were redesignated as a General Military Science Unit in 1954; and

WHEREAS, As a General Military Science Unit, the Red Diamond Battalion allows Cadets to commission into any of the 17 professional fields within the Army through a variety of two, three, and four year programs; and

WHERAS, Students participating in the program as Cadets learn to live by the Army Values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage in their everyday lives; and

WHEREAS, Participation in the Army ROTC Program provides scholarship opportunities to Cadets, abating the cost of attending Temple University; and

WHEREAS, Temple University’s Army ROTC Program has developed a reputation of being one of the finest ROTC Programs in its Region since the 1960s, including having its Ranger Challenge Team achieve victory in the Fall of 2005; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Red Diamond Battalion has commissioned 2119 officers into the United States Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard; and

WHEREAS, Temple University’s Army ROTC Program has commissioned several notable officers who have served with distinction, including Major General (Ret) Wesley E. Craig Jr, former Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania National Guard; and

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and honor Temple University’s Reserve Officer Training Corps Red Diamond Battalion for its commitment to providing quality officers to the United States Army for these last 70 years.

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