The ROTC path

By Emily Bowman
For the Times West Virginian

May 03, 2009 11:58 pm

— As the economic situation worsens, college students will face a fiercely competitive job market after graduation. But for West Virginia University Army ROTC cadets, the road to employment is clear.
This spring semester, 19 WVU students will become Army officers as commissioned 2nd Lieutenants after graduation. In a commissioning ceremony on May 15th, these young Americans will receive their first salutes and will officially start their careers as Army officers.
“It takes a lot of pressure off to not have to search for a job in such tough economic times,” senior Scott Roett said. Cadet John Hein, who will become a Military Intelligence officer, enters active duty June 1st. Hein said that it was a relief to not have to search for a job by attending job fairs or worrying about perfecting his resume.
“I have a guaranteed job,” Hein said. “It is a job I know I am going to like. If I ever decide I have had enough of the Army, I will have the leadership dimension along with technical skills on my resume. Being an Army officer will give me the discipline and experience I will need for the civilian world when I am ready to get a job there.”
According Lt. Col. Matthew Sampson, professor of military science, there are currently around 100 cadets contracted with ROTC at WVU, with 67 of those cadets receiving a full college scholarship. The scholarship pays 100 percent of tuition and fees. All contracted cadets are also provided with a monthly stipend of up to $500 and $600 for books each semester.
Many of the non-scholarship cadets are members of the Army National Guard, which also provides tuition assistance. The WVU program has already promised scholarships to several incoming high school seniors who will be freshmen in the fall.
Sampson said the number of contracted cadets has been rising since 2003. However, Sampson said that he cannot personally cite the economy as the main reason for this trend.
Cadet Chris Drobnicki said it makes sense that more people would join the military for financial reasons at this point in time because it is a comparatively stable profession in a time of economic crisis.
Roett hopes the economic situation is not the only reason that recruitment numbers have been on the rise, but because of strengthened desire to serve the country.
“Understand we are in a time of war. As an officer, you are being entrusted with America’s most precious resource, which is its youth. Do not take it lightly, because the families of your soldiers certainly do not,” Roett said. According to Sampson, cadets are prepared for their future as Army officers during their time in ROTC. Cadets progress from followers to leaders by learning and applying leadership, Sampson said.
“They are the Army’s future leaders,” Sampson said.
Cadet Drobnicki will serve in active duty as an Armor officer, his first duty station being Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Drobnicki said he has always wanted to serve in the military, but chose ROTC over direct enlistment after high school for the educational benefits.
According to Dronicki, along with the educational and financial incentives, ROTC provides college students with benefits that cannot be given a price.
“ROTC gives pride, respect, confidence and a sense of accomplishment. It also provides the ability to help others, lead your men and to make a difference by being at the forefront of national security. You will be able to look back after years and say that you did something with your life,” Drobnicki said.
Anyone who is passionate about serving their country, wants to receive an education, and have a stable rewarding career after college should join ROTC, Hein said.

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