Reserve Office Training Corps (ROTC)

I wanted to serve my country, I wanted to lead soldiers, and be a part of something bigger. There were actually some benefits to attending ROTC classes/activities at a different school - to step away, have the great experience of being a college student, and still get the ROTC experience was really rewarding. It required more responsibility and planning, but it was worth it. At the end of the day, the benefits far exceeded the hardships. You can be a college student and be a cadet, it just requires a little more sacrifice and discipline to uphold your obligations on both ends.

I graduated in late May, my commissioning ceremony was the next week, and then I reported to Fort Benning, Georgia on June 1 for active duty. I spent a year after that in each of Fort Benning's Airborne and Ranger School and then three years in Vicenza, Italy as a platoon leader. Next I traveled to Fort Huachuca, Arizona for 6 months and then to Fort Carson, Colorado as part of Battalion S2.

You may have to struggle now and be disciplined now for the reward later; there is nothing better than getting your commission, doing your salute, and realizing your work in college is paying off - the flip side is, showing up to first assignment is always a learning experience - you'll get thrown into jobs where you might have no idea what you're doing at the beginning. This sets you up for success 10 fold because of the habits and adaptability skills you build.

I wanted to serve my country and get a college education. ROTC provided me with the perfect opportunity to do both. I'm now doing more than I ever thought I could, learning how to lead soldiers, repelling from towers, and jumping out of airplanes. ROTC has opened the door to so many unique opportunities for me that I would not have been able to get otherwise.

I've been in the ROTC since the spring semester of 2021 as a freshman. I would definitely say I have learned so much from ROTC, not just skills that apply to being a cadet, but also apply as a student, and a developing leader. Learning how to handle stressful situations, create plans, and work with different people who have different learning and leading styles has taught me invaluable skills that I can take into the workplace.

My advice to interested people would just be to give ROTC a try. You can take the leadership courses and participate in ROTC events with no obligation to serve until the end of your sophomore year. The most important thing you can do is show up and try.

The experiences you will gather during this time will serve you well if you decide to stay in the program and commission as an officer, or as you move on from the program and into the workforce.