Purdue’s military legacy extends from the university’s founding to present day, bolstered by accessibility of online programs

November 5, 2025| RM Barton

Purdue University has a storied military history that began at its inception in 1869. The Morrill Act, which established Purdue as Indiana’s land grant university, included a requirement that all male freshman and sophomore students participate in military training. To fulfill this requirement, Purdue established an on-campus infantry that housed over ninety men by 1889. “The Infantry,” as it was called, oversaw Purdue’s military training for 32 years, producing many Boilermakers alums who went on to serve their country at home and abroad. 

Military students, faculty and staff remained central to Purdue’s legacy in the 20th century. In 1916, The National Defense Act led to the creation of Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Purdue. Back then, ROTC was a requirement for all male freshman and sophomore students, and the organization’s presence on campus led to the construction of a new center for military training — referred to by students as The Armory. The Armory burned down in 1916, but it was replaced by a new armory that still acts as Purdue’s ROTC headquarters today.  

Purdue also played a central role in World War I and World War II. During WWI, Purdue served as an army training center, temporarily turning into a military camp. When WWII struck, Purdue was once again transformed into a training center for service members. During this time, there were more military personnel on campus than regular students. After WWII, the 1944 Servicemen Readjustment Act (also known as the GI Bill) provided educational benefits to veterans, enabling even more service members to get an education at Purdue. Today, the GI Bill continues to benefit many Boilermakers and their families.  

Service members have made an immeasurable impact on Purdue, and Purdue remains committed to supporting service members as they pursue educational opportunities. Currently, over 500 students are part of Purdue’s ROTC program, and Purdue serves hundreds of service members through its undergraduate and graduate programs, particularly its online programs, which meet service members where they are by providing flexible, on-demand learning.  

Notable Purdue Service Members 

  • Terry M. Cross, former vice commandant of the United States Coast Guard 
Elizabeth Freitas
Ethan Sneider (Right) with colleagues on the USS Blue Ridge
Frunk Pulciano

Veteran and Active-Duty Military Success Stories 

Purdue University’s online programs offer a way for service members to access a prestigious, rigorous education regardless of where they are in their careers or the world. Our military-affiliated students embody the definition of grit — overcoming obstacles and forging new opportunities for themselves and their families through determination and perseverance. Learn more by reading their success stories:  

Purdue Doctor of Technology grad and Air Force Captain transitions from military service to working for major tech startup  

When Ethan Sneider started working for a major tech startup, he entered a new world — one in which flexibility, adaptability and continuous improvement were essential to survival. Luckily, his previous military experience and Doctor of Technology degree taught him how to pursue innovation and keep up with the fast pace of technological advancement. After his startup achieved prestigious “unicorn status,” he reflected on how his education and service history empowered him to thrive in a competitive industry. 

Charting a course: A Navy veteran’s journey through Purdue’s Doctor of Engineering   

Navy vet Frank Pulciano leveraged the discipline, leadership and systems-thinking skills he developed in the military as a foundation for earning his online Doctor of Engineering at Purdue University. His time in the service instilled a strong sense of mission-orientation and project management capabilities, which proved to be directly applicable when he entered the doctoral program. In the program, he applied that military-honed mindset — structured planning, resiliency under pressure and an ability to lead multidisciplinary teams — to complex engineering research and professional challenges. 

Army Vet Uses What She Learned in Purdue’s Online Master of Public Health to Improve Veterans’ Health Outcomes  

When Army veteran Elizabeth Freitas joined Purdue’s online Master of Public Health program, she wanted to make a difference in veterans’ health outcomes. Through Purdue’s flexible, practice-oriented program, she was able to continue her education while working in the veterans’ health care field. Her classes gave her the opportunity to apply what she was learning directly at work, and she got to see her degree make an impact in real time. It increased her confidence, and it gave her the skills she needed to evaluate what veterans in her community needed and how she could help meet those needs. 

Purdue Military Resources

Purdue offers a number of military resources to help military-affiliated students and their families make the most of their educations. The Military and Government Student Resources webpage includes information about how military-affiliated students can access online programs, certificates and professional development courses. The Veteran and Military Success Center at Purdue is a great resource for understanding education benefits and the opportunities for military training and involvement at Purdue. For online program information, visit Purdue’s online program website.