Increased sightings of students dressed in combat boots and starched camouflage uniforms reflect the growth of ROTC cadets present on campus.
“The fall semester was the largest freshman class of cadets we’ve had in five years,” said Capt. William Conger, scholarship and enrollment officer of ROTC.
Conger said he could not release specific enrollment numbers due to safety concerns, but said “the increase is important to the University as a whole.”
Conger attributed the increase to patriotism and the benefits of the disciplinary and leadership skills gained from
the program.
Political science junior Gregory Davis said being a member of ROTC has taught him leadership skills as well as the ability to stay organized.
“Since I was a little kid, I wanted to be in the Army, and ROTC at LSU was the best option to do so,” Davis said.
Cadets are able to compete for scholarships and receive a monthly stipend that enables them “to focus on their studies,” Conger said.
ROTC provides a foundation for cadets to establish a regimen in order to transition into college with ease, he said.
“Bonds established among cadets helps to foster discipline,” Conger said.
Recruitment takes place on and off campus, he said. Cadets promote the program in Free Speech Plaza and also participate in activities on campus to spread the word.
Conger said he visits high schools as well as talks to prospective cadets individually.
“We are fortunate LSU is world renowned,” he said. “People know who LSU is, so we don’t have to do a lot of recruiting.”
Most interest in ROTC is sparked from word of mouth and visibility, Conger said.
Conger said he also uses national advertising and marketing, social media and the Internet as recruitment tools.
Awarding scholarships to cadets is a highly selective process, he said. The number of scholarships awarded has reduced because of Congressional budget cuts.
“Three years ago, we had 20 scholarship recipients. This past year we had eight,” Conger said.
The University eliminated the scholarship that covers room and board for ROTC cadets in response to state budget cuts, Conger said. This was one of the 13 scholarships the University lost because of budget cuts.
 
____
Contact Claire Caillier at [email protected]