Serving those who serve

USC is vastly enriched by our student-veteran population, who bring unique experiences, perspectives, and skills into our community. The diversity of their backgrounds, service history, and academic interests helps foster the next generation of innovators, leaders, visionaries, and creators.

The mission of our military and veterans initiatives is to serve those who served, are serving, or will serve.
We support our student-veterans, our active-duty students, our ROTC students, and their families so they can all succeed and lead in their chosen fields.

USC is continuously creating new programs and resources for our student-veterans, active servicemembers, and ROTC students – including academic, financial, and wellness support. Through multiple institutes and centers, we also undertake innovative cross-disciplinary research and collaborate with public and private institutions to advance knowledge of issues central to the diverse veteran community.

Four pillars

USC’s Military and Veterans Initiatives are anchored by four pillars:

Serving Military Families

Creating Access and Opportunity for Prior-Enlisted Veterans

Developing Military and Civilian Leaders

Partnering with the Military to Solve their Pressing Challenges

A tradition of support

USC began hosting a training school for U.S. Army officers in 1914, and our partnership with the military has been unbroken ever since. USC has hosted ROTC programs since 1940 with unwavering support and a commitment to produce the next generation of leaders. Highly decorated military and civilian leaders – including four-star generals, astronauts, Medal of Honor recipients, and officials in the highest levels of government service – chose to attend USC before or after their military service.

On campus, we study the social aspects, employment issues, financial challenges, and family dynamics of servicemembers, transitioning veterans, and military families. Our location in the heart of Los Angeles, on the Pacific Rim, uniquely positions us to serve as a home and a community for veterans and military families. Los Angeles County is home to about 350,000 veterans and California hosts over 30 military bases including Camp Pendleton and Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos.