While many complain about 8 a.m. classes up at the CCB there are six students among us hitting the road at 4:30 a.m. several times a week to do physical training and take military science classes at Cal State Northridge.
“It gives you a sense of accomplishment rather than waking up at 12 going to class then your day is pretty much shot sophomore ROTC member Jeffrey Jarvi said. When you start the day at four you get a lot done.”
Freshman Sawyer Clark explained that Army ROTC — Reserve Officers’ Training Corp — is a series of preparation camps and courses gearing up for an assessment following the junior year of college.
“You can almost compare ROTC to a sport in that we take a full credit load here at Pepperdine like everyone else and then three to four days a week we go and train with our ROTC company Clark said, describing the company as including army officers that are in charge training of the students.
Besides pure physical training, like four-mile runs and circuit training, the ROTC company also participates in lab” where they train in squad tactics patrolling and other subjects that will be tested in the eventual assessment course.
“Lab is where we basically get to play army. We run around roll around in the dirt — it’s a childhood dream said sophomore Emily Frigo, current Pepperdine squad leader.
While sophomore Jarvi has always foreseen a military career and chose ROTC over enlistment, other students like freshman Kim Gerling pursued ROTC as a means to fund her educations.
I think the biggest misconception about ROTC is that everyone just wants to shoot things said Gerling, a pre-med student. I have no experience with guns or anything like that but I’m still in the army…. I’m here because I want to go to med school so it’s a broad spectrum of people.”
The squad members clarified that although they know they will be serving four years in the army following graduation they have no idea of the capacity.
“We know that we are going to serve in the military and we have preferences but it could be anything from being a pilot to be a chaplain or accountant or in infantry Frigo said. But we can speak for ourselves when we say that we’re ready and glad to serve.”
Senior year following the assessment squad members will be commissioned into the army as second lieutenants where they will find out where they’re going based on rank against other cadets. The rank will depend on GPA athletic ability and involvement along with a number of other criteria.
The six-person Pepperdine squad also includes freshman Jonathan Lancaster and senior Darren Cinatl who was recently commissioned into the U.S. Army as an infantryman. Over so much time spent together in the wee hours of the day group members enjoy an “interesting dynamic” and have experienced a variety of responses from the Pepperdine community when together in uniform.
“I’ve had a couple students come up to me and thank me for my service when they see me in uniform Frigo said. Professors are especially appreciative of us on campus but I think most students are unaware that there is an ROTC program here or what it even is.”
Hoping to promote military appreciate instead of war Clark agreed that it means a lot to be thanked by students and professors for service but it isn’t the biggest impact they hope to have on campus.
“It’s bittersweet because we recognize within ourselves that we haven’t really done anything yet as college students. If we can be symbols of [those that have served and are currently serving] by wearing these uniforms a couple times a week that’s a job well done Clark said. If people will remember something who has fought or is overseas fighting now if they say an extra prayer at night or help put together care packages that’s huge.”
The squad characterized Pepperdine’s gratitude for the military as higher than other state universities like Cal State Northridge where ROTC members have had to walk away from contentious situations —even with professors. But here at Seaver there seems to be positive recognition of the ROTC students that are volunteering as a part of a volunteer military.
“There are a number of professors who are veterans¬ – Dr. Carr Dr. Caldwell and many others ¬– and they have all expressed appreciation that our generation hasn’t forgotten the military and what is required to keep this nation free Jarvi said.
Even the members themselves place immense value on the freedoms they enjoy. Despite the intense challenges of balancing physical training with academics and the ever-illusive social life, Frigo portrayed her thankfulness for ROTC.
Sometimes we’ll get cranky in the day because we’re tired and have a paper due but we live a great life and it’s such a great opportunity to do ROTC Frigo said.
None of us would have it any other way. We’re looking forward to graduating college when we will sleep less and play in the real dirt and live in the desert for nine months at a time — that’s the goal Clark stated. All of us are trying to get into challenging fields within the army that will take even more work and we will hopefully be honored to work in the most difficult facet that we can.”
Pepperdine also has an Air Force ROTC squad composed of freshmen cadets Justin Lee and Cole Ryan and junior squad captain John Garrison. Like Army ROTC the Air Force squad trains multiple times a week and is preparing for a career of military service following college.