Cadets train to reach new heights
The Army Reserve Officer Training Corps is back and ready for action.
Army ROTC reopened on the Utah State University campus in 2001 after being closed for the last five years.
More than 60 cadets are now enrolled, and the ROTC expects more than 100 cadets for next year. With a larger department, the ROTC can offer more training, and more opportunities will become available for the cadets.
First Lt. Ryan M. King, recruiting operations officer for the Army ROTC at USU, said the ROTC is designed to benefit students.
“Army ROTC is here at USU, and there are a lot of opportunities for students without any commitment to the Army,” King said.
King said the first two years in the military science program consist of general education courses and open enrollment studies. Cadets in the ROTC program are not obligated to become officers.
He said two major benefits offered by the ROTC are both two- and four-year scholarships, and a living allowance for cadets enrolled in the program.
King said military science is an adaptable minor.
“[It can] go towards any major and with that, nationally-recognized awards and programs,” King said.
He said other benefits of the ROTC include management and leadership skills and physical training. Adventure training, which includes among varied activities, rappelling, backpacking and whitewater rafting is also offered.
King said the Army ROTC may soon start a survival training course.
“Every season we’ve got stuff,” he said.
Career opportunities are also available to those enrolled in the program. There are both short- and long-term careers, as well as part-time such as the National Guard, King said.
He said a multitude of activities are also made available to cadets. Last week the ROTC went on an overnight cross-country ski trip up Logan Canyon, and toward the end of this month another event will take place at Camp Williams in Draper, Utah.
“We have a great event that has been deemed Wasatch Thunder,” King said. “This is a joint event conducted by the Army ROTC departments of the greater Wasatch Front to include BYU, University of Utah, Weber State and of course USU. All students attending are enrolled in military science courses and are or will soon become ROTC cadets.”
The event is scheduled to occur March 22 to 24, with each participant staying at the camp.
“Cadets will be participating in many events and challenges,” King said. “They are organized under ‘A’ Company [junior and senior ROTC cadets] and ‘B’ Company [freshman and sophomore cadets].”
Friday, March 22, “A” Company will be conducting both day and night land navigation, and “B” Company will be participating in a leaders’ reaction course or obstacle course.
Saturday, March 23, “A” Company is participating in squad tactical exercises from 10 a.m. until the exercise has been completed, while “B” Company takes care of their weapon orientation and qualification through helicopter rides, paintball and multiple firing ranges using both the M-16 rifle and M-9 pistol.
Sunday, March 24, “A” Company will continue the squad tactical exercises and “B” Company will participate in an orientation of the branches and jobs available to cadets once commissioned an officer. This includes equipment orientation (trucks, artillery pieces, etc.) and rappelling.
King said everyone is invited to come enjoy all the activities.
“Take as much from the program as possible,” King said.
For more information or to enroll, contact King at 797-3637 or Maj. Rand Curtis, professor of military science, at 797-0949.