In the 1960s, student recruitment had become more challenging due to the school’s military status. After an exhaustive study, the Board voted on January 21, 1970, to retain the semi-military program to protect the uniqueness of the School. Throughout the next year, the trustees and administration continued to reconsider their decision. After several votes on the military question, on April 6, 1971, the Board voted 9-1 to discontinue the program. Beale Rollins cast the only vote in opposition.
In letters to the alumni and parents, Acting President of the Board of Trustees Dr. Albert Dudley, Jr. and Headmaster Dr. Robert L. Lamborn explained the decision saying, “The military image is presenting an increasingly difficult problem to us in our efforts to recruit students and to maintain a high level of student morale.” According to the letter, “The military image also presented a problem in recruiting suitable instructors and in obtaining college admissions for graduates in areas where McDonogh is not well known.”
An article in the April 30, 1971, issue of The Week reported, “On April 8, 1971, Dr. Lamborn made the announcement of the decision to the Upper School, faculty, and staff. Although the re-evaluation of the military was a surprise to the majority of those in the audience, the initial response to the alteration was not nearly as surprising: the announcement received a standing ovation from an overwhelming majority of those in attendance. Dr. Lamborn said his reaction was ‘a sense of loss for the end of a long and distinguished tradition,’ but when measured against the widespread problems facing independent schools throughout the nation, he felt that the conclusion of McDonogh’s military ‘would be good for McDonogh and strengthen its educational mission.’”
The article in The Week went on to explain what the changes would look like. “Beginning with the 1971 fall term, students will no longer be required to wear military-style uniforms; the cadet corps and military designation for student leaders will be eliminated, the drill sessions in the fall and spring will be discontinued along with special parades, reviews, and military activities, and military formations will be disbanded.”
The article continued, “In his announcement on April 8, Dr. Lamborn stressed that each member of the McDonogh community must support the change, for only through a concerted effort from all factions of the school can such a major change be successfully maneuvered.”
It concluded, “In this ever-changing world, McDonogh solidly feels that this tremendous alteration in the school’s system will aid in maintaining the high traditional standards of McDonogh, benefitting each and every member of the McDonogh Family who commits himself in support of the new McDonogh.”
