Cadets soldier on in ROTC

Day to day life as a cadet in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is not much… Day to day life as a cadet in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is not much different from that of any other Pitt student, according to Colin Tudor, a Pitt junior and Army ROTC cadet who still makes time to hang out with friends and go to parties.

In addition to college requirements, ROTC students from Pitt and surrounding schools wear uniforms and participate weekly in physical training and ROTC classes at Pitt.

However, training and classes are a small cost for some ROTC students.

“Along with paying for a four-year degree, ROTC allows me to become a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army upon graduation,” said Tudor.

For “quality cadets,” military scholarships are generous, Capt. Daniel Morris, assistant professor of military science at Pitt, said.

A quality cadet is someone with academic and athletic abilities, as well as leadership skills, Morris said.

Cadets must sign a contract agreeing to serve in the armed forces for eight years after graduation to be eligible for a scholarship, according to Maj. Roy Beeson, executive officer of Army ROTC at Pitt.

ROTC students may choose to fulfill their contracts by serving in the reserve one weekend per month and two weeks per year, or on active duty.

“Ninety-nine percent of the time, no one gets called out of the reserve [for active duty],” Morris said.

For students who choose to serve on active duty, a position as Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army or Air Force is available upon completion of the ROTC program and other undergraduate studies.

Career prospects after the military are plentiful as well, according to Morris.

“Military service is highly sought after because they know how valuable the leadership experience is,” Morris said.

Managing the day-to-day lives of 40-50 other soldiers is a responsibility hard to come by directly out of college, he added.

During their time at Pitt, ROTC students participate several times a week in physical training sessions run by actual cadets, which helps improve management and leadership abilities, Air Force ROTC Admissions Officer Capt. Marty Carter said.

“As a freshman and a sophomore, you learn to lead by following, and once you become a junior and senior, you take that experience and become a leader,” Tudor said.

“In addition to strong bodies, the army also wants strong minds,” Dennis Kotal, Pitt sophomore and Army ROTC cadet, said.

ROTC students must attend a leadership laboratory once a week, which provides the opportunity to put into action the skills they’ve learned in the classroom, according to Carter.

In addition to these requirements, cadets also take Military Science courses.

“Cadets learn map reading, military history and the basics of leadership, as well as time and stress management,” Morris said. “These courses help them develop personally as well as professionally.”

The time commitment ranges between five to nine hours a week depending on class year for Air Force ROTC cadets.

“It’s a busy schedule, not only do we have to keep up with our classes but attend ROTC activities, maintain a high G.P.A. and stay physically fit. Whereas, some of our college counterparts are staying up late, sleeping in and skipping classes,” Emily Alex, a recent Pitt Nursing and Navy ROTC graduate, said.

Several ROTC students agree that time management is one of the greatest challenges, along with discipline and maintaining good grades.

To Alex, being a female in the ROTC and subsequently in the military is not a challenge.

“We are treated like any other officer,” Alex said.

The greatest challenge for Alex was seeing fellow cadets go their separate ways, from Japan to San Diego, Ca., to Norfolk, Va. “The ROTC program creates a bond that students don’t get in most extracurricular activities,” Morris said.

Despite the challenges, Alex, presently a Navy nurse, has no regrets.

“This is one of the best decisions that I have made,” Alex said. “I’ve always wanted to be in the medical field, and what better way to do it than to be a nurse caring for those who sacrifice their lives for our nation.”

Editor’s Note: This article is the first in a series of reports on ROTC at Pitt. Look for the second installment in next Monday’s Pitt News.