The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Program was established in 1926 to provide a broad base of citizens knowledgeable in the arts and sciences of Naval Warfare. The program provided an opportunity for young men to undertake careers in the naval profession.

In the beginning, there were six NROTC units located at the University of California at Berkeley, Georgia Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, University of Washington, and Harvard and Yale Universities. In June of 1930, 126 midshipmen graduated from college, and received commissions in the United States Navy. At least 3 of the graduates went on to obtain the rank of flag.

The Marine Corps entered the NROTC Program in 1932, offering qualified NROTC graduates commissions in the United States Marine Corps. In 1968, Prairie View A&M became the first Historically Black College (HBC) to host the program. In 1972, the Secretary of the Navy authorized 16 women to enroll in the program and attend school at one of four colleges. Women may now participate in the program while attending any NROTC affiliated college or university. In 1990, the NROTC Scholarship Program was expanded to include applicants pursuing a Four-Year degree in Nursing, leading to a commission in the Navy Nurse Corps.

The mission of the NROTC Program today is to develop young men and women morally, mentally, and physically, and to instill in them the highest ideals of honor, courage, and commitment. The program educates and trains young men and women for leadership and management positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps. There are currently 69 NROTC units throughout the United States. The NROTC Program is available at over 100 colleges and universities that host NROTC units or have crosstown enrollment agreements with a host university. The annual goal for ROTC commissions in the Navy is 1050, while the goal for the Marine Corps is 225. Selected applicants for the program are awarded scholarships through a highly competitive national selection process, and receive full tuition and other financial benefits at many of the country's leading colleges and universities.

The University of Missouri, founded in 1839, was the first state university west of the Mississippi River. After passage of the Morill Act by Congress in 1862, the University became a land-grant institution.

The NROTC Unit at the University of Missouri was established on July 1, 1946. Over 1,400 Midshipmen have recieved commissions at Missouri since the program was started in 1946.

The Unit occupied temporary buildings until 1952, when it moved into the former Naval Armory Building. The anchor in front of the building was installed in 1960 and the flag staff erected in 1962. In January 1972, the unit was moved to Crowder hall and the anchor and the flag staff were installed on the south side of the building. To furthur enhance the nautical appearance of the new quarters, running lights were installed above the Navy entrance.