All University students hope to receive an education that will prepare them for life and careers after graduation. But some students are preparing not only for civilian careers, but for life in the military as well.
Recently, the University held an ROTC Commissioning ceremony for those students who have completed their ROTC training and education. The ceremony marks the end of their time as University students but also the beginning of their new careers.
Capt. Jeff Frye, Air Force ROTC unit admissions officer, said students in ROTC take part in a variety of different activities, including paintball, rock climbing, military parades, a formal Air Force “dining out” ceremony and base visits in the spring to see first-hand how an active duty military base operates.
All students can take certain military science courses in their freshman and sophomore years, but they must decide at the end of their sophomore year if they want to continue with more courses and advanced training.
Frye said between their sophomore and junior years, Air Force ROTC students participate in training exercises and focus on developing leadership skills.
“The training makes you an effective manager and leader,” Frye said. “These are lessons that can be easily used on the civilian side as well.”
Maj. Glenn Nunez, enrollment officer for Army ROTC, said students in the program have the opportunity to attend field training exercises on actual army bases and participate in navigation training.
Nunez said the program combines classroom instruction on the military with “adventure training” in activities such as battle drills, controlling peers in tactical drills, firing at a shooting range, hand-to-hand combat and survival training.
Nunez said while Army ROTC training can focus on physical activities, students in the program also learn leadership skills they can use in any career after graduation.
Linda Warmsley, ROTC recruiting and enrollment assistant director, said the activities are designed for students to learn the “core competencies” of decision-making and dealing with people.
“Every student in this program knows where they’re going when they graduate from college,” Warmsley said.
Warmsley said after students fulfill their academic and ROTC requirements, they are commissioned as second lieutenants in the armed services and they sign a contract obligating them to a term as either an active or an inactive officer.
Those who choose to become an active officer must serve four years, while they must serve eight years if they become an inactive officer, Warmsley said.