Savannah State University

Savannah State University, the oldest public HBCU in Georgia — established in 1890 — has hosted its NROTC unit since 1971. The program serves students from Savannah State and the Georgia Southern University Armstrong Campus. SSU is one of the few HBCU institutions offering its own standalone NROTC unit rather than participating as a crosstown affiliate, and it is the only four-year NROTC program in the Savannah area. The Minority Serving Institution Scholarship Reservation provides scholarship pathways exclusively available to HBCU students, making SSU a financially attractive option for candidates who might not qualify for the broader national competition. Service selection results include three Navy ensigns and one Marine second lieutenant in the first graduating class in 1974, with the program growing since. Savannah's coastal location and proximity to Hunter Army Airfield provide military environment context during the academic year.