The Golden Griffin Army ROTC Battalion was established as a Chemical Unit per General Order Number 3, Department of the Army, 1951. Because of the increased need for officers of all branches of the Army, the Military Science curriculum was converted from Chemical to General Military Science in 1953.
For 16 years the Basic Course was compulsory for all qualified male students attending Canisius College. In August 1967, a decision was made to continue compulsory Military Science for freshman students, but to make it an elective for sophomores. In the fall of 1969, the Military Science requirement was dropped. In 1980 the unit became part of the newly formed ROTC Cadet Command, headquartered in Fort Monroe, Virginia.
In May 1999 the department moved to its current location on the first floor of the Health Science Center. The new offices were specifically designed for the Military Science Department at a cost of $500,000.
In 1992 and 1995 the Golden Griffin Battalion was selected as the outstanding ROTC Battalion in First Region and awarded the Order of the Founders and Patriots of America. Over 1,000 lieutenants have received their commissions through the Army ROTC program at Canisius College.