Tomorrow's Leaders, Today's Heroes
Reserve Officer Training Corp
Joanna Taylor
Issue date: 9/26/05 Section: On Campus
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At Clearwater Christian College, the Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) trains these young men and women, not just at the University of Southern Florida in military skills, but also with a biblical emphasis and purpose at CCC.
The Navy, Air Force and Army are three branches of the United States Military represented in the ROTC program. The programs are similar, but each is unique in its own way. Each branch provides full scholarships, along with a monthly allowance, ranging from $200 to $400. ROTC members take a full load at CCC, while also training at USF.
Junior math major Andrew Smith is in his third year of Navy ROTC. Once a week at USF, Andrew has physical training, known as "PT," at 0550-0700 hours, attends one three-credit course geared towards leadership or ship management, and one Lab, which is a drill period, at USF. In order to maintain the Naval ROTC scholarship he must take two semesters of Calculus, two semesters of Physics, and maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Along with training, Andrew is involved in community service, fundraising and social events. When asked what he is learning in Naval ROTC Andrew said, "Some leadership takes effort; you cannot lead someone if you are not willing to follow." After graduation he will be required to serve four years in active duty or in the reserves. Andrew plans to fly a helicopter and possibly make a career out of the Navy.
Justin Coffey, junior History major, is also in is third year of ROTC in the Air Force. Justin attends PT twice a week and is taking the third year three-credit course dealing with jobs in the Air Force, job selection, and paperwork. Once a week, Justin attends a Lab where he trains freshman in drills, uniform, and customs. He also serves in community service and fundraisers about five hours a week.
The Air Force requires that their officers in training maintain a 2.5 GPA, stay physically fit, and keep a professional demeanor. Justin says, "The area that I have benefited most from AFROTC is my character development. The ROTC program brings out the best in you and makes you live up to higher standards in all aspects of life." Justin plans to remain in the Air Force for a minimum of 20 years and plans to work to become an intelligence officer.
Brad Erickson is a senior General Studies major involved in the Army ROTC program. Brad served in the United States Army Reserves for three years and was activated in 2003 serving in Iraq and Kuwait. When he returned from duty, Brad joined the ROTC program and is now finishing his 2nd year this semester.
Army ROTC cadets attend PT three times a week and attend a three- credit class once a week along with a lab period involving basic soldier skills. Scholarship cadets must maintain at 2.5 GPA but are not usually picked up until they have a 3.0 GPA or higher.
After graduation Brad plans to go on active duty, but when asked what his goals are in the military, Brad said, "The Army isn't really a goal for me. It's a plan which makes the difference in what the Army trains you to be. They don't train officers; they train leaders and leadership abilities that stretch to every aspect of our life."
Brad stated that he is not the same person he used to be before going through ROTC training.
Although this article barely scratches the surface of the training given to these three men in the ROTC program, it does portray a sense of the responsibility for upon each ROTC student. Their schedules are full; each one is learning the responsibilities given to officers trained through this program.