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ROTC works for me. Is it for you?May 08 '00 Write an essay on this topic.I've been a cadet with Boston University's Charles River Battalion, one of the top ROTC Battalions in the country, for the past three years. We train longer, harder, and better than most other ROTC programs. As a result, CRB cadets are among the best prepared for Advanced Camp and the Army. Consequently, I also know what I am talking about. First a few statistics: We have PT at minimum 3 times a week, from 0600 to 0700, though usually all MSIIIs and high-speed MSIIs go to PT 4 to 5 times a week. Military Science class is 2 hours per week. Leadership Lab is held every week, Thursdays from 0400 to 0600. MSIIIs have an 18 hour drill once per month. We have 2 field training exercises (FTX), one per semester, at Camp Edwards, MA. Now for the dirt: Having finished my MSIII year (the tough, evaluated at every blink, stressful, cadet-NCO year) I feel like I have been through it all. I have given up my weekends, countless hours of sleep, and useful hours of study to keep myself committed to this program. My fellow cadets all have done the same. ROTC takes commitment and dedication. If you do not really want to do it, you'll find out within a couple of months. But is all the hard work worth it? DEFINITELY. I have learned things, seen things, and experienced things I would have never known any other way. Additionally, I feel I have become a much better person having gone through the past three years in the manner in which I have. Being put in a leadership position, a position of responsibility brings out something inside of a college-aged youth that nothing else can during these years. I no longer fear any major task placed ahead of me; I've overcome many nearly impossible tasks. I no longer get stressed over having too much homework or exams; I've experienced these feelings before and worked through them. And unlike many of my peers, I do not have any apprehensions about graduating and entering "the real world;" I know I can handle myself just fine. Yes I had to make many sacrifices. Yes there were times when I really wanted to quit. But I'm happy I made those sacrifices: they were well worth it. I'm happy I didn't quit: I learned a lot about myself. I would not recommend ROTC for everyone. Honestly I look at many of my friends and I don't think they would have the heart for it. But hey, you never know. ROTC brings out your heart develops leaders. People have many misconceptions about ROTC. Sometimes I use these to my advantage to arouse pity or fear in others. Usually, though, I just explain to them that IT IS NOT like enlisting in the Army. We do not train like Basic Training, we are not yelled at by Drill Sergeants, and we don't "drop and give anyone 20" all the time. In fact, punitive PT is not allowed. There's a shocker, huh. We train like a light Infantry Battalion, and we are evaluated in leadership positions (squad leader, platoon sergeant, platoon leader, 1st sergeant, executive officer, and commanding officer) therein. We are not in the Army and cannot be called away to war. I hope this has been informative to you all, especially those of you who are considering the program. Let me leave off with this: if you are interested in ROTC and you have sought out opinions about it here (ie f you are reading this now) then you do want it enough to give it a shot. There's absolutely no commitment during your first year. Go ahead. You have nothing to lose but a little sleep and a few pounds.  |
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