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By: Tori McClurg
Sara Clarke, a junior at Ithaca College, dresses in her Army reserves officers training corp. uniform for her lab training and preparation for the Army, as she does every Tuesday. The number of college students dressing in their Army attire as a result of their enrollment in the ROTC program has recently seen a significant increase.
With the economic state on a continuous downhill turn a number of students are thankful to have their ROTC scholarship.
The ROTC provides many incoming freshmen and current students with scholarships that pay all tuition and fees, as well as $1,200 a year for books, a monthly stipend and usually includes full room and board.
Jon Connell, a senior Cadet Major, said, “I have seen the program grow every year since I’ve started.”
Kirby Huber, a physical therapy major at Ithaca College has helped to contribute to the growth of the program. She joined in her senior year of college, which is unusual for the program, but Huber said,
“I always thought about being in the Army. Once I got more involved with physical therapy department here I knew I wanted to be a civilian in the Army. I wanted to do it because it’s the demographic of patients that I’m interested in- they’re young, fit and motivated. There is a lot more freedom.”
Huber had considered being in the Army in high school but continued to debate the subject with herself she said.
“The kick in the pants to actually get started was the money,” said Huber.
Meghan Taglang is in charge of recruiting, finance and public affairs with ROTC. She said that ROTC is making more of an effort to inform people on the opportunities that the program offers. They recruit at anytime possible, by utilizing open houses, school events, and college tours. Taglang works with students at Cornell, Binghampton, and Elmira to further the recruitment in ROTC.
Taglang said they have seen a 25 percent to 35 percent increase in enrollment since 2007.
“A lot of the freshman coming in, I think, are really looking for the program because they hear that it’s a scholarship opportunity, so they look into it more,” Taglang said.
Taglang admits that when she was a freshman the main reason she looked into the program was because of the scholarship the Army offers.
“ I never thought I’d do anything involved in the Army ever in my lifetime,” said Taglang when asked to describe her reasons for getting involved with ROTC,
“The money was the main reason I looked at it but then once I got in the program and started doing stuff I loved it,” Taglang said.
“Hearing hey, you can get four years of school paid for people are normally like, oh really? How?” Taglang.
Taglang said that the program sometimes finds they lose people in the beginning of the semester who realize ROTC isn’t something they want to do. She said that the Army, “doesn’t want people in it who don’t want to actually do it.”
You can be in ROTC without a scholarship but very few people choose that route, Taglang said. You need a 2.5 GPA to get the scholarship and then you need to keep above a 2.0 GPA. Continuing to pass the psychical training test the Army gives each semester is another requirement for keeping the scholarship.
There are long-term benefits to membership in the program. Students who graduate from college and complete an ROTC program are able to start off at a management level, or an officer in some cases, when they enter the military.
Despite the economy, the Army ROTC have yet to experience any serious budget cuts for scholarships.
Ithaca College and Cornell University are two of many schools around the nation seeing ROTC enrollment increases.
“Given the current economic times, offering full scholarships, free books, a stipend, and large low-interest loans are all enticing to young men and women,” said Aaron Furtner a senior Cadet Major with ROTC.
“Although many people enter ROTC for the economic benefit, most who actually complete the program find that they couldn't imagine themselves not in ROTC” said Furtner.
The scholarship is a significant amount of money but Army pride for our nation is something you simply cannot buy.
The scholarship is a significant amount of money but Army pride for our nation is something you simply cannot buy.
The scholarship is a significant amount of money but Army pride for our nation is something you simply cannot buy.
“I know I’m going to get deployed and that’s okay with me because I think if other soldiers have to get deployed I should too. And I’ll be working with people who deserve it the most” said Huber.
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