Renee Shaktivel
Staff Writer
The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is a program that is offered throughout college campuses in Idaho and the U.S. that teaches individuals how to overcome mental and physical challenges, teamwork, confidence and leadership through hands-on training.
“It is a source to commission people to become a second lieutenant in the United States Army,” said Johanna Mosby, Program Director. “Second lieutenant is an entry level rank for most army commissioned officers.”
The program originally began in 1951 as a mandatory enrollment for all freshman and sophomore males. This quickly died after two years, making it the student’s choice to enroll. More changes happened in the late 1980s as the program changed the exercises from military drills to recreational training. The first women members joined in 1981 shortly before the program was shut down.
With the new millennium, ROTC was reactivated, and seven officers were commissioned in 2002, where several of the graduates were awarded the George C. Marshall award, an award for college seniors who have proved to have exceptional physical and educational skills with an abundance of community involvement.
While all students are eligible for enrollment during the program, to commit and continue in the third year, students must be able to pass the military physical fitness test, maintain a 2.5 minimum GPA and be a United States citizen.
“If you are interested in joining, you don’t have to sign up for classes, you can sit in on one of our classes and just observe or participate in any class we have and if you like it then we can figure out a path,” Mosby said.
ISU currently has 23 members with an anticipated growth of seven new members in the fall.
“It’s the smartest college program you can participate in because you will automatically become better at your respective field of study due to the principles learned from military leadership,” said Johnny Henderson, Detachment Commander.
Annually, a joint leadership development exercise is held, that allows them to evaluate cadets in their third year in tactical and land navigations.
“While you participate in ROTC, you aren’t in the military,” Henderson said. “Your time in the military starts once you graduate and are commissioned as an officer.”
He also mentioned that there are two exceptions for those who enlist in the National Guard or U.S. Army Reserves.
The ROTC program also offers scholarships for those who are interested in studying science, engineering, nursing and business and are awarded based off a person’s merit and extracurricular activities.
The U.S. military is investing millions so colleges can groom cadets to become future officers, Henderson mentioned, making it possible to provide scholarships for students.
