What is ROTC?
0By Leon Carsby
Honor, integrity, and loyalty come to mind when you think of ROTC, right? For Colonel Todd McLean and his members, ROTC is much bigger than that.
ROTC stands for Reserve Officers Training Corps. It’s an elective curriculum student may take along with required college classes. ROTC provides the tools, training, and experiences that will help you succeed in any competitive environment. ROTC can also help pay for your college tuition. Since ROTC is an elective, you can participate your freshman and sophomore years without any obligation to join the Army. If you continue in the ROTC program, you will have a normal college student experience like everyone else on campus, but when you graduate, you will be commissioned as an Officer in the Army.
ROTC has been a big part of campus life for schools such as the UPIKE and Morehead State University. However, the Army announced cuts to 13 colleges across the country. The notification said the programs will close or realign by the end of the 2014 to the 2015 school year. The reductions were ordered in September before the government shutdown.
UPIKE’s Cody Foyster who is a junior, who is a member of the ROTC program said, “ I feel bad about some of the schools closing their ROTC programs. They students will be missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to prepare yourself for the Army.”
The ROTC program includes leadership classes and labs along with the requisite physical training and field training exercises. Students learn basic military skills, the fundamentals of leadership and start the groundwork toward becoming an Army leader.
“ I built a bond with the people here in the ROTC program and learned a different perspective of life due to being a part of it,” Demetri Travis, junior ROTC cadet, said.
Although many other programs are closing, UPIKE’s program is strong.
“I plan to push our program forward and prepare these young men and women in their journey to have a successful career with the army,” Colonel Todd McLean said.