Army ROTC at Florida State University traces its roots to the earliest years of the institution. West Florida Seminary, founded in 1857 after being authorized by the Florida legislature in 1851, added classes in military education two years later. This decision proved timely with the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. The conflict had an enormous impact on the seminary's operations. Enrollment dropped from 250 students in 1860-61 to about 58 in 1864-65 forcing the school to briefly close its doors in 1862.
CPT V. M. Johnson, an 1861 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, played an integral part in the school's continued operation. He is credited with helping turn the seminary into the Florida Collegiate and Military Institute and improving the quality of the education being offered. In March of 1865, CPT Johnson led a contingent of institute cadets in the Battle of Natural Bridge. For more information on the Battle of Natural Bridge, visit American Battlefield Trust.
In 1905, West Florida Seminary became the Florida State College for Women in accordance with the Buckman Act. During this time, there was no military science department. In 1946, the school again became coeducational to accommodate the wave of veterans returning to school on the G.I. Bill following World War II. The
following year, the official name of the school was changed to The Florida State University.
The modern Army ROTC program at Florida State University was re-established as the Seminole Battalion in 1951 providing junior
leaders essential for all components of the United States Army – Active Duty, Army Reserve and Army National Guard. Fourteen Seminole
Battalion commissionees have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the country – 11 in the Vietnam War and three in the Global War on Terrorism.