UNO ROTC program provides opportunity

"We're training leadership skills," said Major Dennis Murphy, the enrollment and scholarship officer of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps.The ROTC program is a college elective that students can take to help train them for all branches of military service other than the Coast Guard. While enrolled, students are taught a variety of skills, from problem solving methods, to combat tactics and even how to handle explosives.

The Creighton/UNO ROTC program was created in 1919 and has trained more than 2,300 officers since its inception. Of the 85 cadets currently enrolled in the program, 35 of them are students at UNO.

One such Maverick is Robin Bruce, a senior majoring in international studies.

"I joined because a lot of my family is in the army. I grew up with it," Bruce said. "I plan on working in an embassy after this."

Indeed, the ROTC has been part of the U.S. military since 1916, but the idea of including training in public colleges was first introduced with the Morrill Act of 1862.

By the 1980s, there were Army ROTC units at 300 colleges and 800 high schools and Air Force ROTC at 150 colleges.

The ROTC programs of the army, navy and air force had a total enrollment of about 100,000 students in the 1990s. Not all of those ROTC cadets intended to be there, though.

"Actually, I joined by mistake," said Ian Linderman, an air transport management major.

Linderman said he was going to enlist in the Army, but took a shot at a scholarship without any real hope of attaining one. To his surprise, he was accepted.

"But it's great," Linderman said. "The group I'm in does the more advanced physical training. We do more push ups, longer runs. For instance, we do actual pull-ups instead of just climbing the ropes."

Linderman's reason for enrolling in ROTC is different than other students.

"The reasons are different. Students seeking financial aid are the reason why most people enlist, along with just wanting to take on military service," Murphy said. "Most of the cadets from UNO are here for the financial benefits because of how expensive college can be, and because they didn't qualify for scholarships out of high school."

Through the program, students are eligible for scholarships from two, three or even four years that total $4,500 per year, with another $1,200 per year just for books. The courses count as college credits and if they go on active duty after they graduate, they will receive monthly checks on top of what they would normally earn for just enlisting.

"I've always had a strong interest in the military. I wanted to go reserves, but decided that being an officer meant more opportunities and even more respect," said Lauren Kurfman, a history major, military science minor. "The amount of stuff we learn - from tactical thinking to shooting M-16's - it's just fun. Especially the field training exercises in the woods, like the rappel tower."

Shawn Rezek, a criminal justice major, also spoke of his enjoyment of the field training.

"Riding in the Black Hawk helicopter is just incredible," Rezek said. "The new perspective you gain from these experiences just makes it really worthwhile."

Rezek said he joined because it is a good way to pay for school and because of the benefits after college.

"And it's a good way to stay in shape," Rezek added.

Zach Appleby-Leo, an electronic engineering major, said he, like the 84 cadets, has to perform rigorous exercises in the morning before the sun even rises.

"Getting up this early in the morning is a whole new experience," Appleyby-Leo said. "I do plan on serving full-time after graduation."

After graduation, the cadets are guaranteed a full-time job at a starting salary of about $43,000 annually. Within four years, cadets could make up to $75,000 a year.

In addition, there are fully funded graduate opportunities available to further one's education in medical school, physical therapy, law school, etc.

A great asset for those willing to learn while enrolled is to learn foreign languages.

While most high schools and colleges just require some Spanish, the ROTC pays for students to take the harder languages to learn, specifically Chinese, Arabic and Japanese. By doing this, students receive $400 a month for each foreign language they learn.

"There is a cultural immersion program," Murphy said. "We send cadets to whatever foreign country for free so they can learn the ways of the people there. The higher you rank after training, the better the chance you have of getting to go where you picked, depending on your GPA and the results from the fitness and leadership tests."

Contributor Mike Bell will be imbedded in on-the-site training along with other ROTC cadets. Look out for his in-depth article in the April 22 issue of the Gateway.