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The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    ROTC courses return to campus since 1995

    United States flag for ROTC

    The Lion’s Roar / Megan McCormic

    As the spring 2016 semester started, the university’s U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training program has officially returned. While the program started originally in 1969 at the time of the Vietnam War, it was eventually shut down in 1995 due to budget cuts. Now that the program has returned, students can sign up for ROTC courses and pursue their military career.

    “We are pleased to re-introduce our students to ROTC military science classes on the Southeastern campus,” said President John L. Crain in a Southeastern press release. “Increasingly, students are looking for options that include military service, either for several years or as [a] career. Southeastern’s previous experience with ROTC was successful in helping to prepare future military leaders.”

    Students were able to take part in ROTC before. However, students had to take their military courses through Southern University’s Navy program or LSU’s Army and Air Force program.  

     “We have a lot of National Guard kids here that are enlisted,” said ROTC Alumni Chapter President Steve Worth of Hammond. “Going through the ROTC program offers you the opportunity to become an officer in the regular Army or if you decide you want to stay in the Guard you can, but you are a commissioned officer.”

    The ROTC program on campus does provide more benefits than just becoming an officer.  

    “We have a scholarship that we have endowed as alumni of $143,000,” said Worth. “We gave out nine scholarships last semester and we’re going to give out nine this semester.”

    According to Worth as the program will continue to grow, there will be Army scholarships available to juniors and seniors that will pay for their tuition, their books and everything else they would need. Worth feels that the ROTC program causes kids to grow up and take responsibility, as well as help students interact with the different diversity of people in the world. 

    “I was a test black hawk test pilot in the Army,” said Worth. “I went through this program back in 1978 and I’ve enjoyed my time on active duty. It’s just great opportunities for kids that really don’t know what they really want to do, but this will give you a big variety of choices.”

     The ROTC courses are just like regular semester courses starting at the freshman 100 level classes while including labs. The labs contain marching and other military skills students will need to go forward. Currently the program has a total of 15 people enrolled in the courses.

    “As of this morning we’ve got eight freshmen, six sophomores and one junior,” said Worth. “A total of 15, which is fantastic being the first semester back on campus. Now next semester I anticipate we’ll have probably 30 students. Between Southern and Southeastern I think there are 95 cadets which is fantastic for both Southern and Southeastern.”

    For more information on the ROTC program, contact [email protected].

     
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    • M

      Michael FiskSep 25, 2019 at 2:08 pm

      Hi my name is Michael and I am a member of the Louisiana Army National Guard. I am interested in attending Southeastern next semester and would really like to attend ROTC. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

      Reply