Two side-by-side portraits: one of a Marine in uniform, and one of a man smiling in a suit, both with some age-related wear to the photographs.
via Canva

These yearbook photos from the past decades of the ROTC programs are a fascinating insight into past years. ROTC programs were no easy feat to get through, and these yearbook photos are able to shine a light on the joy experienced by people in the programs in spite of the challenges that presented themselves.

1. This young man ended up joining the Navy in the early ’70s

A young man in a U.S. Navy uniform with dark hair sits for a formal portrait, smiling slightly. The uniform features an eagle patch with a red chevron and a ribbon above the left breast.
estoration / via reddit.com

2. Another Navy trainee in the late ’70s

A young man in a dark navy uniform and a white hat with a USN insignia poses for a formal portrait against a plain background.
oldphotos / via reddit.com

3. He was aiming for the Navy or Hollywood

Young man in a U.S. Navy uniform poses for a formal portrait, resting his chin on his hand. He is wearing a white sailor cap and a dark navy uniform with white stripes on the collar and a red chevron on the sleeve.
oldschoolcool / via reddit.com

4. This picture was taken in 1976

A young person in a U.S. Navy uniform and glasses poses for a portrait in front of an American flag backdrop.
pics / via reddit.com

5. He was in the academy in the early ’60s

A young man in a navy sailor uniform poses for a formal black-and-white portrait, smiling slightly with short, neatly styled hair against a plain background.
oldschoolcool / via reddit.com

6. A lot has happened since this was taken in the early ’60s

A black-and-white, worn and creased photograph of a smiling young man in a sailor uniform and cap. The damage on the photo suggests it is old and well-handled.
oldschoolcool / via reddit.com

7. This was in the Military School in the 1960s

A young man in a formal military-style uniform with a high collar and star insignias, smiling at the camera in a black-and-white portrait photograph.
oldschoolcool / via reddit.com

8. Afyer ROTC, this young man later served in the Army

A young Black man in a military uniform and cap poses for a formal portrait. The photo is aged and slightly creased, with visible wear and some discoloration.
oldschoolcool / via reddit.com

9. In 1985, he was preparing to serve in the Army

A young man in a U.S. Marine Corps dress uniform poses for a formal portrait in front of an American flag and a Marine Corps flag.
usmc / via reddit.com

10. At Military School in the early ’60s

Black and white portrait of a young man with short, neatly styled hair, wearing a collared shirt or jacket, looking slightly to the right with a serious expression.
oldschoolcool / via reddit.com

11. Standing proud!

Black-and-white photo of a young man in a military uniform and cap, facing forward with a neutral expression. The image has a textured, slightly grainy quality, typical of older photographs.
estoration / via reddit.com

12. He was a proud graduate of military school in 1960

Black and white portrait of a young man in a military uniform and cap, facing slightly to the side with a serious expression.
estoration / via reddit.com

13. Owen Wilson attended the New Mexico Military Institute in the 1980s

Black-and-white yearbook photo of a young man in a military-style uniform, smiling. Below the photo are his name, location, and a list of favorite quotes from musicians and TV characters.
oldschoolcool / via reddit.com

14. A midshipman who later served as a marine

Black-and-white photo of a young Marine in uniform, including a white cap and dark jacket with buttons and insignia, looking straight ahead with a serious expression.
oldschoolcool / via reddit.com

15. In the 70s, he was studying to serve in the Air Force

A young man in a U.S. military dress uniform smiles at the camera. His name tag reads "Hoffman." The background is plain, and there are some colored spots on the image.
pastandpresentpics / via reddit.com

16. He knew early on he wanted to serve in the Air Force

Black and white portrait of a soldier wearing a helmet and uniform, looking forward with a serious expression. An American flag is partially visible in the background.
army / via reddit.com

17. This young man studied hard to be in the Air Force

Black and white portrait of a man in a U.S. military uniform, wearing glasses, a tie, and a peaked cap with an insignia. He is looking straight at the camera and smiling slightly.
estoration / via reddit.com

18. Some academies also had beauty pageants

A black-and-white yearbook page shows ROTC activities: marching drills, a rifle team photo, awards, cadets at a cannon, and three young women, with text listing team members and Miss ROTC winners.
crestview / via facebook.com

19. A cadet from 1987

A U.S. Marine in dress uniform stands in front of an American flag, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.
usmc / via reddit.com

20. This was taken in 1990

A man in a Marine Corps dress uniform stands in front of a flag with a serious expression; part of a folded American flag is visible in the lower right corner.
usmc / via reddit.com

Explore more vintage content:

These portraits read like a quiet proof of the time, the training, and the path ahead of these young teenagers. If this hit your nostalgia nerve, keep the mood going with these 15 Yearbook Photos from the Swinging Sixties, or check How These 15 Yearbook Faces Turned Ambition Into Wealth. You may also like these 20 Photos From History’s Most Surprising Students.

Meet the Writer

Matt has spent over the last 8 years as both a writer and editor, working in Seattle and Brooklyn, where he is now based. He loves escaping the tirelessly fast pace of the “Mad Apple” that is NYC by taking walks and runs through parks where he’s able to catch up on the latest tea about society from the city’s ever chatty, always hungry, occasionally maniacal, pigeons. They always have a lot to say. When he’s not taking his urban nature strolls, or dutifully combing the deepest rabbit holes of the internet to find the content that’s worth sinking your mind’s teeth into, he’s likely holed up at a dark-lit dive bar with a new book and/or some friends, or just as easily he could be on the hunt for the next addition to his steadily growing plant family.

These days Matt’s caught up in trying to provide folks as many vivid glimpses into the days long since passed as he can, through fun and engaging collections of hand-picked vintage photos.