Spring Break
ROTC celebrates first full year
Summer Burke Contributing Writer
Issue date: 6/19/09 Section: NEWS
The program accepts incoming freshmen, sophomores and juniors into the program if they qualify. Freshmen go through the program in its entirety. Sophomores and juniors can make up for what they missed by participating in leadership training, which is an intensive two week camp that catches them up with their peers in ROTC, Herman Troy said.
Being involved in ROTC requires taking a twice-weekly military science class each semester with the other cadets in your grade, Henderson said. Every Thursday, all cadets meet together for a lab, where classroom instruction is taken to the field for hands-on training.
"It's really cool the things that we get to do," she said. "We learn how to evacuate buildings and how to handle our weapons. It's awesome seeing what we learn in class actually put to use."
The payoff
Cadets have the choice of either signing a contract promising to enter the U.S. Army after graduation or simply taking military science as an elective, with no continuing obligation after graduation. If contracted, the U.S. Army picks up the bill for college and includes a monthly stipend in exchange for either four or eight years of service, depending on whether the student decides to go on active duty or to join the National Guard.
Dillingham, who served a year in Afghanistan with the Army before returning to school and joining ROTC, will go on active duty for three years after he graduates.
With a wife and a baby on the way, Dillingham will not continue to serve in the Army after his contract is up, a decision that was hard for him to make.
"I would continue [my service] for as long as I could. But my wife would kill me if I put her through that for much longer," he said with a laugh. "I do think this experience has been good for my family in the long run. I will have great job security after this."
Being a part of the program has taught him management and leadership skills that will be invaluable when he tries to find a job once he is out of the Army, Dillingham said.
Being involved in ROTC requires taking a twice-weekly military science class each semester with the other cadets in your grade, Henderson said. Every Thursday, all cadets meet together for a lab, where classroom instruction is taken to the field for hands-on training.
"It's really cool the things that we get to do," she said. "We learn how to evacuate buildings and how to handle our weapons. It's awesome seeing what we learn in class actually put to use."
The payoff
Cadets have the choice of either signing a contract promising to enter the U.S. Army after graduation or simply taking military science as an elective, with no continuing obligation after graduation. If contracted, the U.S. Army picks up the bill for college and includes a monthly stipend in exchange for either four or eight years of service, depending on whether the student decides to go on active duty or to join the National Guard.
Dillingham, who served a year in Afghanistan with the Army before returning to school and joining ROTC, will go on active duty for three years after he graduates.
With a wife and a baby on the way, Dillingham will not continue to serve in the Army after his contract is up, a decision that was hard for him to make.
"I would continue [my service] for as long as I could. But my wife would kill me if I put her through that for much longer," he said with a laugh. "I do think this experience has been good for my family in the long run. I will have great job security after this."
Being a part of the program has taught him management and leadership skills that will be invaluable when he tries to find a job once he is out of the Army, Dillingham said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Havok
posted 7/11/09 @ 10:13 AM CST
More branches than just the Army have ROTC programs. The Air Force ROTC program has been running for years now on campus, so your statement about ROTC 'celebrating their first year'is inaccurate. (Continued…)
JD
posted 7/13/09 @ 8:21 AM CST
Yes the Air Force has been on Campus for decades. The writer needs to put Army or Air Force in front of ROTC. Please do this. This is the 3rd time a misunderstanding has been made with the NT Daily! Thats 3 times to many. (Continued…)
Clay
posted 7/13/09 @ 12:25 PM CST
To be fair, they don't print that much about the Air Force ROTC that I've seen this year. I've seen three articles about the Army ROTC since this January, but little or no coverage of the Air Force. (Continued…)
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