The University of Alabama at Birmingham hosted a grand opening and ribbon-cutting Wednesday, Sept. 25, to celebrate its new Reserve Officers Training Corps facility, located at 828 Eighth Court South.
“UAB has been more than gracious to our Army ROTC program in providing this beautiful new facility for our future military leaders’ use. It is a confirmation to the commitment the university has with the U.S. Army,” said Lt. Col. Karl Reuter, professor of military science.
UAB has partnered with the U.S. Army in hosting ROTC programs for more than three decades. The new 12,800-square-foot training facility includes three classrooms, nine offices, an 1,860-square-foot auditorium, storm shelter, supply and storage space, a cadet lounge/library, a cadre lounge, women’s and men’s locker rooms, a gym, and an engagement skills trainer room for simulated combat.
“UAB ROTC cadets have a one-stop shop for leadership and officer training with a locker room with showers, cadet lounge with computer access, state-of-the-art classrooms, weapons simulator to improve marksmanship, and a gym with functional fitness equipment geared toward the new Army Combat Fitness Test; and this is all next to a brand-new quarter-mile track to further work on their physical fitness,” Reuter said.
“UAB is very excited to be opening this state-of-the-art facility specifically designed to support the work of our dedicated Army ROTC staff and all of our cadets,” said Suzanne Austin, senior vice president in the UAB Office of the Provost.
“Our cadets are among the best in the country, earning some of the Army’s most competitive awards, and we are very proud of them and their accomplishments. This new facility will allow us to continue to grow the program and attract the best and brightest to UAB.”