Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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reserve training COLLEGE UR BECOMES MORE THAN JUST GOING TO CLASS ROTC aims at real-world experience bymandeblunk Typical military stereotypes often involved battle scenes and intense training. But to Air Force and Army Reserve Officers ' Training Corps cadets, being in the military meant gaining skills and experiences that would help them in their future endeavors. Dan King. senior in general management and Air Force ROTC cadet, said most people ' s perspective of the military was what they saw on television and movies. Anything you want to do in the civilian world, you can do in the Mr Force, ' he said. °It ' s just a job. If people would understand, we would have more people sign up. Jobs in the Army were similar to those of a corporation in America, said Maj. Jim Porter, assistant professor for Army ROTC. We provide all functions that a corporation would for their employees, he said. Everything from maintenance to personnel to doctors and lawyers. Being part of ROTC was one of the best moves Jake Moulin. junior in public r elations and Army ROTC cadet, said he ever made because of the respect he gained through military courses and physical training. Once in the service. Moulin said. I gained more respect for myself, my peers and my country Students who met requirements set by Army and Air Force officials and maintained a 2.5 grade point average, became eligible for scholarships. Scholarships included tuition and fees, books and $200 per semester that went directly to students for personal use. Besides attracting students with fin ancial benefits. ROTC also met other needs of individuals. Jennifer Condon, freshman in secondary education, said she joined Air Force ROTC because she wanted to follow in her father ' s footsteps who had also been in the Mr Force. She discovered other advantages as well. Being part of ROTC has given me more confidence. she said. I have learned leadership skills and how to be outgoing. ' Cory Roberts, senior in business education and Air Force cadet said through training activities, the younger cadets had the opportunity to step up and show their leadership abilities. it is not just muscle work, it is using your mind, too, Roberts said. The younger cadets can take control with their problem-solving skills and help the whole team. Roberts said being focused was a key to physical activities. There is always someone who will go the extra mile. he said. In any career, if there is something you aren ' t willing to do, someone else will. Through ROTC, students met others, improved problem-solving skills and worked with people from different backgrounds, Moulin said. King said he gained teamwork skills, discipline and responsibility. He said he focused more on academics. One thing that helped me was that we arc required to maintain a 2.0 GPA, King said. Since we had to bring our grades at midterm to the office, it got me thinking about my grades before finals. It ' s made me more academically disciplined. King said he obtained more hands-on experience than he would have in the classroom. it ' s an excellent experience. he said. What you learn can help you the rest of your life. Practicing speed for the competition they will attend, Michael Smith, junior in secondary education, helps Eric Hayes, freshman in open- option, onto the rope bridge from the back of Phillip Brown, freshman in computer engineering. (Photo by Karen Mikols) STUDENT L,3a

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••:•‘ •, y • y Inc.‘ r( dd., • Concentrating and lying low, Lessa North, sophomore in engineering, focuses on the enemy during a ROTC dnll for a class. There are four stations and students cycle through the stations and practice different drills to prepare for combat (Photo by Karen Mikols) Practicing for a competition, Matthew HowelL freshman in open-option, pulls himself across a rope bridge. A team is supposed to assemble and get three members across in a timed competition. The team completed its task in 2:05 minutes. (Photo by Karen Mikols) In a test for speed and skill. Michael Smith, junior in secondary education, and James Gains, sophomore in history, assist another ROTC cadet down from the rope bridge drill. (Photo by Karen Mikols) UNSEEN •••

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Taking a lesson from the Mark Morris Dance Group, Natalie Ebbett, freshman in business, experiences the unique style of Mark Morris. It was a very different style. I was able to learn his style and incorporate it into my own dancing, Ebbert said. (Photo by Evan Semon) Exhausted after an hour of dan. instruction by the Mark Morris Dance Group, Laura Francoviglia, freshman in English rests on a bench while she talks with other members in the class. (Photo by Evan Semon)