Military Affiliates
Military Affiliates
For centuries, Harvard students have served our country.
By The Numbers
Enrolled as of September 2025
78
US Veterans
- Branches represented: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force
- Mean age: 27
- Age range at matriculation: 22-48
103
ROTC Cadets & Midshipmen
- 17 Air Force
- 61 Army
- 21 Navy
- 4 Marine Corps (2 are MECEP)
1
USMC PLC Cadet
students who participate in Marine Corps training over 1-2 summers and will attend Marine Corps OCS after graduation
Harvard College 2026 ROTC Commissioning
Veterans Day Observance 2025
Student Voices
"Basic" Lessons from a Harvard College Student-Soldier
When Joseph Fadule ’26 returned to Harvard after a gap year, his schedule looked quite different.
Air Force Veteran Fulfills Harvard Dream
When Jacob Flores ‘29 first enlisted in the Air Force, he knew he wanted a life of service. Six years later, he found himself thousands of miles away from home, a first-year student at Harvard College, prepared to begin the next chapter of his life.
Honor, Duty, Harvard
A Veteran student in the Class of 2027 embodies what it means to serve—both in uniform and beyond.
After Failing Out and Dropping Out, Navy Vet Set to Graduate
“The one compliment I’ll give myself is I’ve done a really good job at learning from those mistakes,” says Richard Glazunov ’26.
Jack Swanson Shares His PLC Experience
The middle of five children raised by a single mom, Swanson’s do-it-yourself attitude helped him through moments of doubt.
Veteran Voices at Harvard
Veterans
As a veteran student at Harvard College, you will find a supportive community eager to assist you in your transition from military life to campus life. This support network includes your resident dean, resident tutor or proctor, academic adviser, and an active cohort of fellow veteran undergraduates and other military-affiliated students and alumni.
- Financial aid: email Chris Looby at the Harvard College Financial Aid Office
- Housing options for veterans and students with families: email Carina Myteveli in the College Housing Office
- Harvard Undergraduate Veterans Organization (HUVO)
- Host Family Program: email Stephanie Macaris Alusow in the First-Year Experience Office
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
In partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard College offers students the opportunity to join Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps ROTC programs. Our cadets and midshipmen benefit from the resources of both institutions, and enjoy robust camaraderie with their ROTC peers from other area schools such as MIT, Tufts, and Wellesley. As a Harvard cadet or midshipman, you can take advantage of the numerous training and travel opportunities that ROTC offers during summer and winter breaks. Upon completing your ROTC requirements and College graduation requirements, you will receive a commission as a United States military officer.
- Financial aid: email Chris Looby at the Harvard College Financial Aid Office
- ROTC course crediting and registration information
- Harvard ROTC Association (HROTCA)
Other United States Military Programs
The Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) and the Army Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) provide additional opportunities for Harvard College students to join the United States military, as does membership in one of the reserve components (including the National Guard). If you are an enrolled Harvard College student who is already in such a program or would like more information about joining one, please contact our Program Manager for Military Student Services.
Prospective Students
ROTC
Students who are interested in ROTC should apply to Harvard College and contact the appropriate service branch at MIT ROTC (the host institution for Harvard ROTC).
Veterans
Each year, a small and enthusiastic cohort of military veterans joins the Harvard College student body. If you are a veteran with a spouse, partner, or child and are considering applying to Harvard College, rest assured that you would not be the first in these situations to go through your undergraduate experience here, and the College works diligently to ensure that all students are positioned to achieve success both inside and outside the classroom. Note that Harvard College requires full-time enrollment and local residence either on campus or in the Boston area.
- Veterans who are interested in applying to Harvard College and have no prior college experience should contact Ian Anderson in the Harvard College Admissions Office
- Veterans who earned college credits elsewhere may be eligible to enter Harvard College as sophomore or junior transfer students and should email adm-tran@fas.harvard.edu
- The Harvard Extension School, which does not require residency or full-time enrollment, offers an alternate path to a Harvard degree that may appeal to veterans and active duty military personnel who are seeking greater flexibility and online classes
Craig Rodgers, Psy.D., J.D.
craig_rodgers@harvard.edu
The Wider Community of Support
Contact information for Harvard's military-affiliated organizations, communities, and individuals