Boys,
do you have a desire to make a lot of money and have a lot of fun doing it? If
so then today is your lucky day because I am going to tell you about a program
that will change your life forever. I have been in R.O.T.C.(Recruit Officers Training
Corps) for almost two years, and it has blessed my life immensely in ways that
I never thought possible. R.O.T.C is a program that builds leaders for the
future by putting cadets (members of the R.O.T.C) into situations that makes
them think on their toes and make quick decisions. This is one of many reasons
that R.O.T.C. cadets have a better chance to succeed in their personal
endeavors. Many people believe that a joining the military is the equivalent to
singing your life away, but I say that the benefits greatly outweigh any
negative aspect that may be encountered.
The
purpose of the program is to train military officers that are proficient in
their warrior tasks and skills. During this process the cadets are not only
preparing for combat, but we are preparing to be the future business leaders,
better husbands and fathers, and overall better citizens that contribute to
society. Because the program has been in operation since 1916, the techniques
that we use are used today in the modern world. Many of the world’s largest
companies have CEO’s that are former military officers. They all account their
success to the training that they received as a cadet. The fact of the matter
is that this program does not only help the Solders that are fighting for our
freedom, but it helps ladies and gentlemen learn tools that will benefit them
for a lifetime by teaching them how to lead.
The
concern that many of you may have is the fact that if you join R.O.T.C. you are
singing your life away to the army. This is partially true but greatly
misconceived. As a student going to Dixie State College the military has deemed
me NON DEPLOYABLE. This means that until I graduate from college with my degree
the military the army will not deploy me. The benefit to this is that I am paid
in cash for going to school, getting good grades, going to PT (physical
training) three times a week, and accepting any other tasks that I may be
assigned to do such as helping out with community events. However, this does
not mean that once I am a second lieutenant I will be required to go
immediately to combat. There are many jobs in the military that do not require
me to go on the front lines and fight for our freedom. All of the branches of
the armed forces have jobs that will never require you to fight in combat. For
example, I am planning on becoming a nurse. When I graduate with my degree I
will be required to be active in the military for four years, the first two
years of that I will be sent to diverse places throughout the U.S., Europe, and
Asia to study and practice with other military nurses. After that time I will
be able to choose where I would like to be stationed according to something
called an OML, or order of merit list. The OML is a list that ranks each
officer in comparison to his or her comrades in the same position. This list is
based on four main things: college GPA, PT test score, performance at one summer
camp, and the review received from your superior officer. What this means for
you is that you are in total control of where you go and what you do. The top
ten percent of the solders on the OML are absolutely guaranteed the position
that they want. So if you never want to see combat if you get in the top ten
percent I can guarantee that you will never see combat. For those of you that
would like to see combat, let me tell you that it is a great honor to be an
American Solder fighting on the front lines.
R.O.T.C
is a cadet run program meaning that the cadets are in charge. If we want to do
something the way we want, that is no problem, as long as our peers agree with
us. For this exact reason the program is a blast. Every week we have a lab in
which we learn and execute different maneuvers. This may include battle drills
where we go out in what we call patrolling lanes and, using paintball guns, we
take out an objective. This also includes a repelling lab, a combat water
survival training lab, and a machine gun lab when we shoot hundreds of rounds
with our M-16. Obviously this program is not for the faint of heart or
physically weak because of its intensity, action, and amount of physical
exercise.
Because
college presents many different challenges, many students drop out. R.O.T.C.
gives students a place to find help and support for all the diverse challenges
encountered in college. With the camaraderie and friendship felt in the program,
there will never be a day when you will not be able to turn to your battle
buddy or squad leader, ask for help, and not get the support you desire. This
program has proven that good friends and people that care can help anyone
through any tough situation.
Finally,
the long term benefits outweigh any of the negative aspects of the military.
First, the money that you can earn is very substantial. I can promise you that
if you join the program and stick with it for at least six years after you
graduate, and if you save your money, by the time six years is over you will
have a degree and enough money to have a new house and a car. As a military
officer the military pays for everything including housing, food, clothing, and
bills. On top of that you are making just as much money as anyone else in your
field with your degree. There are many benefits that the military has to offer.
It all starts with one thing R.O.T.C.. I am telling you, that if you want to
have an exciting career the U.S. military is the way to go whether it be Army,
Air Force, Navy or Marines, the military knows how to take care of its people,
and you will never be disappointed.
