Reasons for joining ROTC programs include education, sense of duty, patriotism
By Lauren Seynhaeve
Brian Walker is a senior in Air Force ROTC. Upon graduation, he hopes to be commissioned in the Air Force as a pilot, the job his grandfather had.
"He seemed to have an exciting life and it would be cool to see what he did," Walker said. "I've really enjoyed the whole program and I'd strongly recommend it to any people who want to increase their leadership skills or join the military."
Some join for the scholarship, some for the leadership and organizational skills, others for the guarantee of a job after graduation and still others to train for an officer's position while getting a college degree. Reserve Officers' Training Corps. offers students myriad reasons to join, and the UP participants are proud to be a part of this program.
These students are part of either the Army or the Air Force ROTC at UP. And both of these programs foster leadership skills, which includes being able to follow others and work in teams.
"It's probably the best team building program on campus," said senior Joe Price, who is currently the Master Fitness Trainer for Army ROTC. "And on top of that, they pay for a good chunk of schooling."
Junior Patrick Mitchell of the Army program explained the process of ROTC as training to reach a specific goal.
"We get leadership development and basic Army skills," he said.
There are several tests that the students must pass in order to move on in the program and to become an officer upon graduation.
According to Mitchell, cadets go to Warrior Forge for the Leader Development and Assessment Course, or LDAC, between their junior and senior year.
"If you pass, you get commissioned a second lieutenant, which is the lowest officer rank," he added.
Air Force ROTC has a very similar assessment course, but their version of LDAC occurs between sophomore and junior year and is called Field Training.
"We go from being in the GMC, General Military Course, to POC, Professional Officer Course, where we lead the underclassmen," sophomore Air Force ROTC member Oliver Peery said.
The program offers its members the opportunity to start their military career as an officer, which is a significant ranking above those who enlist in the military.
"If you're enlisted, even the highest ranking person will always be saluting an officer, even if he (the officer) signed up yesterday," Walker said. "There's also more money if you're an officer."
One reason people choose to go through the ROTC program is to achieve the officer's position.
"Enlisted guys have little to no power," freshman Army ROTC member Cameron Sparks said. "Officers are shiny (they have many medals) ... and they have the power to get things done. You listen to the officers."
After graduation, students are expected to serve in the military for a certain number of years, which varies depending on the branch and amount of training each person has been through. The usual time is four active duty years.
"Something like aviation gets special training and extra money put into you," Mitchell said. "So for something like that you're expected to stay longer."
Walker said that it costs about $1 million to train a pilot, and they are expected to serve for 11 years. Many students choose to make an entire career out of the military, serving in the military for 20 years.
Nicole McCune, a junior in Air Force ROTC, is training specifically to be a nurse.
"It's a good way to serve your country, to get involved with something other than yourself," she said. McCune is planning on spending her career in the Air Force. Freshman Emilia Amaral, also on the nursing path, is having fun with Army ROTC.
"I'm liking it a lot more than I thought I would," she said. "Going out for labs, assault tactics and using big weapons is a lot of fun."
Most ROTC members feel like the UP campus understands ROTC and supports the students.
Sophomore Air Force ROTC member Oliver Peery feels like ROTC fits within the UP community.
"Everyone knows the ROTC deal," he said. "I feel comfortable walking around on campus, but if I went to downtown Portland in uniform it would be pretty weird."
"It depends a lot on how we present ourselves," freshman Army ROTC member Jessie Shoffner said. "I think that goes for both guys and girls.We're treated a little differently just for being in ROTC."
The main difference between Air Force and Army ROTC are the structural components. Although both programs teach leadership and team building skills, the Army works more in teams and on ground training.
"I really like it," freshman Adrienne Suner of Air Force ROTC said. "There's a ton of leadership opportunities and I'm making the most of that by joining clubs within the Air Force - we can learn about being great followers and leaders, there's great camaraderie.
ROTC offers students a great way to develop organizational and leadership skills by training for a military office. These students get up early, work hard and learn a great deal - all the while earning a college degree.
"Even if you're not seeing the military as a career, it's a great leadership opportunity that can help with a career," Walker said. "You can serve your country, which is an honorable position and career field."
