In 1990, according to Colonel Egan, the College ROTC program became one of 50 targeted programs nationwide for downgrading. "Because of the changing world situation, the Army is downgrading," said Colonel Egan. About 200 students will be affected at St. Norbert. All contracts made by the Army to St. Norbert students will be fulfilled and promises made to them will be honored, he said. Ironically, Colonel Egan was notified of the decision to downgrade on Friday, the 13th of July, 1990.

"The Army must be a cross-section of the population, so when schools like St. Norbert are cut, we lose people that may be good for the Army," said the Colonel. On October 1, 1991, the College had given 53 years of service to the country through its ROTC program.

So on October 1, 1991, the ROTC programs at Ripon College and St. Norbert College closed in accordance with Operation Plan Horizon. The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh established partnership agreements, effective October 1, 1991, with these two schools. In addition, UW-Oshkosh established partnership agreements with Marian College of Fond du Lac, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and Bellin College. These five program combined with UW-Oshkosh's program forming the Fox Valley Senior ROTC Battalion. The battalion is headquartered at UW-Oshkosh in the Kolf Sports Center. Green Knight Company operated out of the old Van Sistine dentist's office on Third Street until the building was razed for the building of the George F. Kress Residence for Executive Education.

With the closing of their old building, the company moved to St. John's Hall at the corner of Third and Grant Streets, on the College campus. The move to the new location took place in the spring of 1999. In cooperation with Dr. John Sutton, Master Sergeant Jim Erickson directed a renovation effort in the basement of the hall in the summer of 1999. The renovation reshaped the basement into a more functional headquarters by making use of underutilized space. The restructured basement included a lounge, an office for the cadet commander, a supply closet and a classroom dedicated to ROTC instruction.

The Foundation Years 1916-1936

The Early Years
1936-1940

World War II
1940-1945

The Post World War II Era
1945-1950

The Korean War Years
1950-1954

The Interim Years
1954-1960

The Vietnam War Era
1960-1973

The Volunteer Force
1973-1989

>>The 1990s

Epilogue - the Contributions and the Legacy