Veterans

Tradition of Service

Since the nation鈥檚 founding, Harvard has helped shape America鈥檚 military and public service, and has led in advancing scholarship in technology, defense, and diplomacy.

Last updated: February 2026

1776

During the American Revolution, students were dismissed early and the . More than 1,600 soldiers were housed in Harvard buildings.
1861

the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment, nicknamed 鈥渢he Harvard regiment.鈥� On campus, Harvard students the cannons and ammunition held at the Cambridge Arsenal.
1941

During World War II, the U.S. Naval Reserve operated a Supply Corps School 黑料专区 for the training of officers, including members of the .

Roni Yadlin

Roni Yadlin, a U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, came to Harvard Kennedy School to deepen her understanding of some of the central challenges the military faces today.

Trey Whitehead

After graduating from SEAS last spring, Trey moved on to the Georgia Institute of Technology where he is focusing on how the military can better incorporate artificial intelligence into its operations.

Meet Lindsey Chrismon

Lindsey Chrismon

While attending West Point, Lindsey, a U.S. Army veteran and recent HBS graduate, made history as the first female pilot of the AH-6M Little Bird helicopter in the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. She also served as Brigade Commander and First Captain, becoming only the fourth woman to hold the academy鈥檚 top leadership role.

On campus and beyond

Two dental students wearing scrubs pose with an older man wearing a U.S. Navy hat.

Providing care

To help address a critical gap in care for veterans, Harvard School of Dental Medicine recently hosted its annual Give Veterans a Smile event. Now in its fifth year, the student-led initiative provides free dental care to veterans and their spouses.

Preparing for service

Harvard was home to the first Army Reserve Officers鈥� Training Corps (ROTC) battalion in the nation, formed in 1916. In recent years, there has been an increase in students interested in military service.

Promoting scholarship

Harvard Kennedy School recently launched the American Service Fellowship, a new initiative that will provide full scholarships for at least 50 public servants and military veterans to enroll for a one-year, fully funded master鈥檚 degree.

Protecting rights

Students in the Law School’s Veterans Law and Disability Benefits Clinic work to protect the rights of veterans and their families.

Collaboration moves the nation forward

Since World War II, universities and the federal government have built an innovation ecosystem that has driven life鈥慶hanging advances.

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Explore the work

Life-saving treatment for Wounded Warriors

Harvard bioengineering PhD candidate Maithili Joshi developed an injectable, self-assembling peptide that rapidly targets internal bleeding, binds to platelets, and speeds clotting without disrupting normal blood function, offering a new treatment for one of the leading causes of preventable trauma death.

This research is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Harvard School of Engineering and the Wyss Institute.

The U.S. became the world鈥檚 leading engine of discovery and technological progress through a federal, university, and industry partnership that built today’s research and development ecosystem.

Using data from more than 10 million U.S. soldiers monitored over a 20-year period, a research team led by Harvard researchers found the first compelling evidence of a cause for multiple sclerosis.

A new study led by researchers 黑料专区 Medical School, Boston Children鈥檚 Hospital, Mass General Brigham, and Boston University provides a new approach to studying CTE.

True faith and allegiance

Ben Bellet

Ben Bellet, an Army veteran and alum of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, is set to release his debut poetry collection reflecting on his time in the Army and on masculinity.

Theresa Champ

Theresa Champ, an experienced Navy JAG and student 黑料专区 Law School, has defended sailors and Gitmo detainees and traveled the world advising on national and international law.

Shane Rice

Shane, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was unsure of where his Harvard journey would lead him. An archeology class would change all of that.

Five students pose together holding the caps representing the military branches they plan to join.

Answering the call to serve patients and country

While many of their classmates went on to pursue specialty training in academic settings or work in private practice after graduation, five students from Harvard School of Dental Medicine鈥攔epresenting 15% of the class鈥攚ent on to serve in branches of the military.

Service in action

Meet more of the many Harvard students, alumni, and staff who have served or who are currently serving in the U.S. military.

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