Jamie Lambert
Staff Writer
As most Americans stay current with the American involvement in the Middle East via CNN, a small group of Pepperdine students have made a commitment that will most likely land them right in the middle of the action. These nine men and women are just like any other Pepperdine students, except that every Friday, they don the Blues of the United States Air Force ROTC program, making the transformation from average college student to military cadet.
While they all have different reasons for signing up, they all share a common goal: to support and defend the United States and its interests. Sophomore engineering major Michael Doose was drawn to the program by patriotism and the promise of an exciting career.
ÒI fell in love with the ideas and concepts upheld by the military, and I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of,Ó he said. ÒIÕm also dedicated to America, and I could think of no better way to support my country than to defend it.Ó
Kimberly King, a senior nutritional science major, was attracted to the program for the more practical aspects.
ÒThe first reason [for joining ROTC] was money, second was patriotism, and third, I wanted to do something other than have a job when I graduate,Ó she said. ÒI wanted to be a part of something bigger than just making money for myself. I wanted to work for the good of the people and the protection of my country.Ó
Many students receive merit-based scholarships and monthly stipends in return for participating in the program. Scholarship recipients are then bound to the military by a minimum commitment of four years of active duty service and four years of reserve time.
In addition to ROTC, most cadets participate in a variety of other campus organizations and activities. Sophomores John Deniston and Brendan Groves and junior Ian McCollum are all studying abroad this year, and other cadets participate in sororities, fraternities, honor societies, Black Student Union, Latino Student Association and many other programs. Many ROTC students feel that a well-rounded college experience is the key to becoming a successful military officer.
ÒMy club involvements and the decisions I make in each of the clubs are more effective [than classes] in training me as an officer,Ó King said. She is a member of the Alpha Phi sorority and a part of the Student Diatetics Association.
Besides keeping up with school and other activities, most ROTC students are closely watching the pre-election coverage. This election could mean big changes for the United States and even bigger changes for the military. Even so, these students feel comfortable with the possibility of being sent to war.
ÒI knew that I would likely be sent into a conflict at some point in my career,Ó King said. ÒWhen I swore the Oath of Enlistment, I knew what I was saying and that being sent anywhere came with the territory.Ó
Junior political science major and future pilot Chris Nehls agrees, pointing out that he sees the necessity of U.S. military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ò
I believe strongly that the United States’ involvement is necessary in
order to prevent terrorist attacks at home,Ó Nehls said. ÒThe sad fact of the matter is that sometimes, positive change can only come about through war.Ó
Pepperdine cadets are taking advantage of their time in college to help them prepare for this nearly certain future. They also feel that the program has given them advantages in dealing with every day struggles and situations.
ÒBecause of my training, I feel that I can operate under stressful situations, in most circumstances, better than most college student,Ó Nehls said.
King said she feels she has learned practical lessons through the ROTC program.
ÒI have developed confidence and competence in all the things that I do,Ó she said, Òand in learning to be confident and competent, I have developed a sense of self and the ability to both learn and apply my lessons to real life situations.Ó
These students also see the job security the program provides as an added bonus. While many of their classmates and friends are wondering what they will do when they graduate, ROTC cadets already know. But they also realize that itÕs not something thatÕs right for a lot of students.
ÒI wouldnÕt necessarily call it an advantage,Ó King said. Ò I would say that itÕs a different path for only certain people to take.Ó
10-07-04
