Annalee Burks

Essay Rough Draft P1

Due 3. 9

When seniors in high school begin to make their college decision, many become
overwhelmed at the prospect of deciding where to spend the next four years of their lives. While
most are deciding only where to attend school and what to study, a select few make a much
bigger decision and commitment. Army ROTC programs are widely available to college
campuses across the US, and with the financial benefits of earning full scholarships with a
commitment of service post-graduation, more high schoolers are choosing to invest their time
and duty in this academic and job opportunity.
As a community, the Army is stereotyped for its strict moral codes, diverse population
and gender inequality. However, much of whats gained from participation in Army ROTC
challenges popular beliefs. Becoming an Army cadet has many rewards, however it is physically
and mentally challenging, thus not for the faint of heart. Army ROTC prepares students for real
world leadership roles, practices a balance between strong moral conduct and college
socialization, and creates a tight knit community among campus members.
Much surrounding ROTC is the confusion behind the program itself. Many people, old
and young, do not understand what ROTC is, or who its members are. Standing for Reserve
Officer Training Corps, the idea of garnering college educated members to be at the call of duty
for national defense made the creation of ROTC possible by Congress in 1916 (Army). Through
ROTC, young, physically and mentally strong persons make annual commitments to serve time

as active duty members of many national defense branches, such as the Navy, Marines, Air
Force, and Army.

Figure 1: Army ROTC logo. https://armyrotc.as.uky.edu

What first draws most students to Army ROTC is the option of financial aid, academic
scholarships that can cover up to full tuition and include a monthly stipend. With the annual
rising cost of college, Army ROTC has maintained the financial benefits students seek out. The
number of enrolled cadets with financial scholarships has increased since the 1980s, meaning a
greater number of potential recruits are academically qualified and inclined for success
(Goldman, Mattock, 1999). Although changes have taken place in order to keep up with
increased tuition for public and private universities, the overall ability of Army ROTC to
continually bring financial incentives encourages students to stay sharp in the classroom and

maintain high GPAs.

retrieved from https://armyrotc.as.uky.edu/armyrotc-scholarship-opportunities

Army ROTC fosters leadership in the classroom and community. Any major is supported
by Army ROTC, but according Stephen Strack, Assistant Professor of Military Science at UK,
students entering math and science fields are looked at more favorably when considering
scholarships. This harbors graduating ROTC classes that are equipped to enter a workforce
heavily reliant on technology after their military service. Community efforts such as volunteer
work and leadership in clubs across campus are supported by Army ROTC, too. We are
encouraged to get out and take leadership positions throughout the university, said freshman
cadet Elizabeth Dempsey. Through this, and work with other ROTC programs on campus, such
as Air Force, interaction among ROTC students and campus helps develop social communication
and leadership skills key to being a sufficient member of society.

Academic integrity is not all thats highlighted when becoming an ROTC cadet. With
zero tolerance for illegal alcohol and drug use, integrity violations are held at a strong standard
for ROTC cadets, according to Strack. Coupled with an intense morning workout regime and the
upheld academic standards, Army ROTC students live differently than most in college. Were
just more committed to our own success and the success of others because we have to mature
quicker, Dempsey said. Higher moral standards, required drug screening, and a strict schedule
that begins with 6 AM workouts may lead to disparity among cadets and other students on
campus.
Diversity among Army cadets holds strong, however. We always say if you wanna see a
melting pot, come to the Army, said Strack. Although this remains true for enrollment, officer
positions in Army ROTC are predominantly served by white males (Lim, Marquis, Hall,
Schulker, & Zhou, 2009). With greater diversity among leaders, enrollment among minorities, in
race and gender, would increase. This increase would widen the Armys scope, and ROTCs
scope across the country, bringing benefits for members and civilians. However, the smaller
scope ROTC holds today on college campuses has its benefits, too.
Small class sizes, ranging from around 18 to 25 on UKs campus, lend Army ROTC to be
a tight knit community. Living, struggling, and growing together for four years creates
inexplicable bonds between cadets. You cant beat the community and sense of belonging, said
Dempsey. This family-like affair creates responsibilities among members and ties cadets to the
honor they have of eventually serving their country. Through increased ROTC staffing of retired
Army men and women rather than active duty, it is clear that even once done serving, Army and

its members stay connected through bonds and experiences that, for many, begin at the ROTC
level (Goldman, Orvis, Mattock, & Smith, 1999).

retrieved from https://armyrotc.as.uky.edu/cadet-experience

As Army ROTC becomes greatly used, so do misconceptions regarding the Army and
military in general. My experience researching and interviewing members of this community
have shown me that the ROTC creates and prepares students to be not only valuable militia men
and women, but also contributors to society. Through the Armys strong hold on honor, moral
code, and community, it builds character and for the right people can change your life for the
better, (Dempsey).