organization, field communications, tactics and other facets of military life the cadet who had so declared received a reserve
commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Reserve. In time of war these men were
called to active duty.
CMA earned Honor School rating in 1935 and remained so until the final days of the
military presence in 1975. This designation was given only to those institutions
which met the high criteria of the Department of the Army and each spring the
Government Inspection was the highlight of the year with every corner of the
campus in "spit and polished" condition, as well as the uniforms and equipment.
Honor military schools had the privilege of nominating three Honor Graduates for
appointments to each of the U. S. Military Service Academies.
Columbia Military Academy was a class "M" Military School until 1918, when a
Junior ROTC Unit was added. In 1947 a Senior ROTC Unit was installed and
remained until June 1, 1978 when enrollment dropped below the minimum
requirement for an ROTC program.