This is a guest post by Tyler Terry who is in the UAB ROTC. Email him at TylerT27@mac.com for more information if interested.

What is ROTC?

I feel pretty confident in saying that maybe half of the normal population knows what those four letters stand for and even fewer know what they really mean. Two years ago, I was one of those people.

I was graduating high school with a 4.02 GPA and going to UAB to become a nurse. In all respects I had everything planned out. As with most Universities, a summer orientation program is required for entry in the fall. I attended the three day bombardment of information and meetings only to find out that I did not have everything planned out. How was I going to pay for all this? I had all my tuition paid by my parents, but that was only half the battle. I needed money for housing along with countless other fees that they fail to mention before you sign up. I was stuck. I had no clue of how I was going to make it through four years of school without financial help. On the final day of orientation, a Recruiting Officer from the ROTC department hosted an information meeting for the parents. She described what life as a Cadet would be like and all the benefits that are associated with ROTC. My mother was intrigued and she mentioned it to me. I was uneasy about the idea just like most people would be. However; I went for a private meeting to learn more. I received a bunch of information about what the goal of ROTC is and how I would get there. She gave me a run down of what I would be doing day to day in the program. I had to wake up bright and early every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday for Physical Training (PT), attended class once a week and a leadership lab on Thursdays with a training Saturday thrown in the mix every so often. This did not seem like too much for them to ask of a college student. If I could hold up my end of the agreement I would receive a full tuition scholarship, a meal plan, and a stipend of $300 a month. Where do I sign?

Two years later. I sit here and I think of how different my life would have been had I not joined the ROTC. I would be out of shape and over weight. I would sleep till 1 in the afternoon everyday and then go to class if I felt like it. I would not have a sense of pride in knowing that I am different from the rest of my college peers. I have chosen to participate in an organization that is greater than this university and myself. In less than two years time I will be a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army-a leader. Adjusting to the schedule of a cadet has not been easy. Nothing in this world that is worth having is easy. I signed up for the program for the financial assistance and I can honestly say that money is not the reason I stayed. I could get money from some other source if I had to. Anyone that is thinking of joining the military for money need not waste their time. You can spot those people very quickly and they do not last long. The goal of the Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) is to train and develop the leadership skills of the Army’s future leaders- plain and simple. The ROTC is not here to give students a free ride through college and a job when they graduate. You earn everything that you receive. But do not let others fool you into thinking false things about the ROTC program. It is NOT basic training. You are not signing your life away. They do NOT tell you what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. You are a college student first and foremost. ROTC is second to education. You have to graduate with a degree to become an officer. The Army does not want semi-smart officers. They want the best and nothing less will do. If the ROTC and becoming an officer is something that interest you please feel free to contact me and ask questions. I will tell you what you need to know and point you in the right direction. Again, do not hesitate to find out more information. It has been one of the best decisions of my life and I do not regret anything about it.

-Tyler

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