AUDREY REED
Editor in Chief
On Friday morning junior Michael Stahlke and senior Jon Stafford are learning to use military grenades. They aren’t in the Middle East or a remote training facility, but in a UCLA park doing a lab exercise with 55 other army officers in training.
Stahlke and Stafford are the only two Pepperdine students in the Army ROTC program. They spend four hours three mornings each week in addition to weekend and summer programs in training, because upon graduation they will be commissioned as officers in the U.S. Army for at least four years.
“The ROTC program is designed to create capable leaders. Everything we do revolves around that,” said Stafford in an e-mail interview. Stafford, who at one time was the Cadet Lieutenant Colonel, or the battalion commander, oversees the entire UCLA Army ROTC program. A majority of the cadets are from UCLA, but students from other area colleges and junior colleges also train at the school.
Stafford will put his knowledge from the ROTC program into use when he joins the Army’s Corps of Engineers as a 2nd lieutenant June 24. For about a year, he plans to spend time in specialized training, and he said he will most likely be stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan with the task of improving the country’s infrastructure.
“I will have a unique opportunity to conduct combat missions and provide general engineering for the Iraqi citizens in order to improve their quality of life,” Stafford said.
The cadets, once they take their officer position, will be in charge of at least 30 soldiers from the start.
“They are responsible for everything about those soldiers and their lives,” enrollment officer Capt. Tom Higginson. “So you know everything about them, and you take care them.”
Both Stahlke and Stafford said they were attracted to the Army because it gives them an opportunity to serve the country. “I grew up watching old World War II movies and became incredibly fascinated by the figures that were willing to give up the creature comforts in order to serve their country,” Stafford said. “I admired their selfless service. When I had an opportunity to join, I jumped at it. Plus, I think being an officer is the most difficult and rewarding job out there.”
Stahlke began his military career as a reservist one year before starting at Pepperdine.
“I enlisted while I was still in high school,” he said. “Sept. 11 happened my senior year of high school. That was a definitely a factor. I’ve always felt like I was meant to serve a cause greater than myself and this is definitely a way to do it.
“I think that being a soldier is one of the most difficult and important jobs in society, and I’m arrogant enough to think that I’m one of the people who would be good it.”
Another of Stahlke’s motivations came from an experience he had in high school with the then Secretary of State Colin Powell at a high school leadership conference.
“Colin Powell said that we need people to help serve in the military and Foreign Service,” Stahlke recalled. “And these (students at the conference) were the most privileged people that I had ever been around. They laughed at him, and it made me mad that they thought we were above that.”
Higginson said that Stafford and Stahlke come from a tradition of good cadets coming from Pepperdine. Both men have risen to leadership positions in the program.
“We’re very proud of those guys,” Higginson said. “They are doing the right thing.”
Stahlke said that he believes the difference between someone in the military and a civilian is not about physical or intellectual abilities, but the idea that military people
“pledge their lives to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.”
“I wish that “Support Our Troops’ wasn’t just a bumper sticker,” Stahlke said. “I wish I could see more action behind it, especially in the student body.”
Both Stahlke and Stafford are on scholarship for their involvement. Not all cadets are on scholarship, however.
“I couldn’t go to Pepperdine, because I couldn’t afford it,” Stahlke said. “I’m scholarship cadet, which means they pay for my tuition.” Those who receive scholarship must go through a selection process.”
Stafford said that he is especially appreciative of his wife, who is an Army medic reservist.
“ROTC as a senior has been very demanding, but I’ve been very lucky,” Stafford said. “My wife Stefanie has done a great job supporting me and keeping everything in perspective. I couldn’t imagine doing this without her.”
Because the cadets are all in training for leadership positions, Stahlke says being outgoing and having good interpersonal skills are key.
“As cliché as it sounds you have to have a heart for service,” Stahlke said. “There are a lot of long days. On Saturday sometimes I have to be up at 3:30 to be at UCLA for 4:30 and come back at 10 that night. You have to believe it is important.”
On normal weeks, Monday at 6 a.m. is when the ROTC program starts with personal training, or PT, exercises. The cadets also take military science courses covering leadership theory, troop leading procedures, army organization, ethics and basic tactics. Each week the cadets take part in labs. Once a month the cadets do additional lab work at local bases to execute missions at other schools. “It’s as realistic as possible,” Stahlke said.
Cadets also go through summer training programs. Stahlke went to Airborne school for three weeks where he learned how to parachute from airplanes last summer. This summer he will go to a leadership development assessment camp, which all cadets across the county attend, to be tested on everything that has been taught in the last three years.
“It’s fun being able to do things that people make video games about,” Stahlke said. “That’s what I’m doing for a living … That’s cool.”
Stafford said that these activities will help him build skills when he enters active duty.
“The leadership skills developed while in the program set me far ahead of my peers,” Stafford said. “I have made some great friends, jumped out of perfectly good airplanes, become much more confident in myself, and had college paid for. Plus, I have a guaranteed job that pays well.”
The program is raising money through collecting empty ink and toner cartridges for recycling. If you are interested in contributing, or in joining UCLA Army ROTC, contact Captain Tom Higginson at (310) 825-7381.
04-13-2006
