Why I’m in the ROTC

I love attending Utah State University. I love the beautiful campus and friendly students; mostly, I love living the college lifestyle. Something that most of my friends and family forget, however, is that as a member of the Air Force ROTC, I cease to be a civilian for roughly eight hours each week, and am instead a cadet in the U.S. military.

Very few people understand what we do in the ROTC. Most of my friends assume that I’m away doing “army stuff,” and have no idea why I would ever voluntarily wake up to go to mandatory physical training sessions at 06:00, let alone join the Air Force. I hope to be able to clear things up a little bit for everyone.

I would like to focus not on what we do in the ROTC program, but rather, why I joined the ROTC program, and why I have stayed with it.

I’ll be the first to admit that I was lured into the program right out of high school with the promise of free tuition and abundant scholarships. I realized very quickly, however, that the program was much more rewarding than any financial benefit I would ever receive as a cadet.

I was immediately enchanted with the sense of family and the espirit de corps that exists in the Air Force ROTC program at Utah State. The feeling is reminiscent to that which exists among competitive sports teams. As cadets, we are put through training developed to make us into leaders. It’s challenging and stressful, but we strive together, fail together and ultimately achieve together. Through the flames of adversity, I have formed special bonds and lasting friendships with my peers. There are very few things on campus, in my opinion, as rewarding.

The biggest reason that I joined the Air Force ROTC is for the sense of pride and loyalty I get each time I wear the uniform. As a cadet, I am preparing to join the world’s greatest air force. Thousands of brave men and women came before me, and thousands will come after me. I am proud of the noble heritage that the uniform represents, and count myself lucky to be able to serve next to the brave men and women who are currently in the United States Military. The most fulfilling thing for me is knowing that my degree at Utah State and my ROTC training are preparing me to make a difference in the world after graduation.

Members of the military are servants of the United States and its citizens. They selflessly put themselves in danger to protect the defenseless and to make our world a better place to live in. I can’t think of a more honorable or rewarding career. Call it cheesy, call it naïve, but in few words, that is why I am a member of the Air Force ROTC at Utah State University.

— Colby May is a senior majoring in business administration. He has been in the ROTC four years. You can contact him at colbymay@aggiemail.usu.edu.