The Department of Defense recognizes Notre Dame’s Fightin’ Irish Battalion as the best Army ROTC program in the country.
In a resounding validation of its long-standing commitment to leadership, discipline, and service, the University of Notre Dame’s Fightin’ Irish Battalion has been recognized by the Department of Defense as the best Army ROTC program in the nation. This prestigious honor not only affirms the program’s legacy but also highlights the remarkable achievements of its cadets, cadre, and the university’s dedication to military training within a rigorous academic environment.
Each year, the Department of Defense, in conjunction with the U.S. Army Cadet Command, evaluates over 270 Army ROTC programs across the country. These programs are judged on a variety of criteria, including cadet performance in summer training, academic achievements, physical fitness, community engagement, and overall officer production. Notre Dame’s ROTC unit rose above the rest, setting a national standard for excellence.
Founded in 1951, Notre Dame’s Army ROTC program has long held a reputation for producing officers of uncommon intellect and character. Nestled within one of the country’s most iconic institutions of higher learning, the Fightin’ Irish Battalion has combined traditional military values with Notre Dame’s holistic approach to education. The result has been a dynamic and deeply respected officer development pipeline.
Colonel (Ret.) Thomas H. Gibbons, a Notre Dame alumnus and former battalion commander, reflected on the award and the program’s historic mission:
“Notre Dame doesn’t just train officers—we mold servant leaders. It’s a unique environment where cadets are challenged intellectually, spiritually, and physically. That balance is what sets our graduates apart in the field.”
This latest recognition comes as no surprise to those familiar with the program’s consistent record of excellence. Over the past decade, the Fightin’ Irish Battalion has routinely posted top-tier results at Advanced Camp—an intensive summer training event at Fort Knox that evaluates cadet leadership and tactical skills. Moreover, the battalion has steadily commissioned a high percentage of Distinguished Military Graduates, cadets ranked in the top 20% nationally.
The program’s current success can be credited in large part to its current Professor of Military Science, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Travis, who assumed command of the unit in 2022. Under his leadership, the battalion has seen record recruitment, increased diversity, and the successful implementation of a mentorship-based model that connects current cadets with alumni officers in the active-duty military.
“We talk a lot about values-based leadership,” said LTC Travis. “What we do here isn’t just about tactics and field training. It’s about developing leaders who understand ethical decision-making, who are comfortable leading in complexity, and who never forget the purpose of their commission—to serve others.”
Travis emphasized that the honor belongs to the entire Notre Dame community, not just the ROTC department. “Our success is a reflection of institutional support—from the university’s administration to the faculty members who push our cadets to excel in the classroom.”
Notre Dame’s ROTC cadets are far from one-dimensional. They are among the university’s top students, often pursuing double majors, conducting research, and participating in athletics and student organizations. It’s not uncommon to find cadets balancing a demanding physical training schedule at dawn, followed by engineering classes, varsity sports practice, and student government meetings—all in a single day.
Cadet Maria Gomez, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, says the program taught her more than just leadership—it taught her time management and resilience.
“There were days I thought I couldn’t do it all. But ROTC taught me that when you have a mission, you find a way. Whether it’s a field exercise in the freezing cold or finishing a project at 2 a.m., we’ve been trained to adapt and overcome.”
Gomez, who earned a spot in the Army’s Aviation branch, will begin flight training in Fort Rucker next year. Like many of her peers, she credits the battalion with helping her unlock opportunities she once thought unreachable.
A distinctive feature of Notre Dame’s ROTC program is its integration of faith and service into the training regimen. Cadets routinely engage in service projects across South Bend, mentor local high school students, and participate in veterans’ outreach programs. Their motto, Duty, Honor, Notre Dame, reflects an enduring commitment to something greater than themselves.
Father Matthew McNamara, the ROTC chaplain, noted the spiritual dimension of the cadet experience:
“At Notre Dame, our cadets are encouraged to view military service through the lens of moral and ethical responsibility. This isn’t just about combat readiness—it’s about character, compassion, and courage.”
In an age when the military faces recruiting challenges and public skepticism, Notre Dame’s model provides a compelling counterpoint: a vision of service rooted in tradition, academic rigor, and ethical clarity.
The Department of Defense’s recognition serves as more than just a trophy—it establishes Notre Dame as a national model for what ROTC can be at a private, academically elite institution. The award particularly noted the program’s innovations in leader development, including its peer mentoring initiatives, its use of data-driven performance tracking, and its emphasis on holistic officer preparation.
Major General Antonio Munera, Commanding General of U.S. Army Cadet Command, praised the Fightin’ Irish Battalion in a statement:
“Notre Dame’s program exemplifies the future of Army leadership. They are producing not only physically capable officers, but ones who are culturally astute, ethically grounded, and strategically minded.”
That kind of praise carries weight—not only within military circles but in higher education as well. As the military looks to partner more effectively with civilian institutions, Notre Dame’s ROTC program is positioned as a beacon.
The path to commissioning in Notre Dame’s Army ROTC program is rigorous. From day one, cadets undergo physical training multiple times a week, leadership labs, field training exercises, and courses in military science. As they progress through the program, they take on increasing responsibility—culminating in the role of Battalion Staff as seniors, where they plan and execute the program’s major operations.
Advanced summer training programs, including Airborne School, Air Assault, and Cadet Troop Leader Training, are available to high-performing cadets, often sending Notre Dame’s best across the country and even internationally for immersive leadership experiences.
Cadet Luke Thompson, a junior political science major, recently returned from the Army’s Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency (CULP) program in Georgia (the country, not the state), where he worked with NATO partners.
“It was surreal representing the U.S. Army overseas as a college student. That experience changed how I think about diplomacy, strategy, and our role in the world.”
Notre Dame ROTC graduates serve at every level of the military, from platoon leaders in active combat zones to generals shaping policy at the Pentagon. The strength of the alumni network provides current cadets with mentorship and a sense of continuity.
General Paul Funk II, a Notre Dame alumnus and former commander of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), called the recognition “well-earned and overdue.”
“Notre Dame cadets bring something special into every room they enter: a quiet confidence, a sharp mind, and a servant’s heart. That’s why you find so many of them leading from the front, wherever they go.”
While the award cements Notre Dame’s ROTC program as the best in the country, its leadership remains focused on continuous improvement. Plans are already in place to expand simulation training, increase intercollegiate collaboration with other ROTC programs in the Midwest, and integrate AI and tech-focused curriculum tracks to prepare cadets for the modern battlefield.
Lieutenant Colonel Travis emphasized that the program isn’t resting on its laurels.
“This award is a moment to celebrate—but it’s also a challenge. We have a responsibility to live up to this recognition every day. And we will.”
In a year filled with national headlines about uncertainty in military recruitment and declining interest among youth in public service, the University of Notre Dame’s Fightin’ Irish Battalion stands as a rare and inspiring exception. Their designation as the nation’s top Army ROTC program is not merely an accolade; it’s a reaffirmation of what’s possible when excellence, service, and purpose converge.
From the morning PT sessions on South Quad to the commissioning ceremonies beneath the Golden Dome, Notre Dame cadets embody a truth that transcends uniforms and accolades: greatness begins with a willingness to serve.
And in the heart of northern Indiana, a battalion of future officers is proving, one cadet at a time, that the future of the Army is in exceptionally good hands.
