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Monday, January 19, 1987 Features 7 ROTC progn By MARY PEARSON S?nior reporter ^ Although some type of military education has exW isted at USC since 1825, the first Reserve Officers' Training Corp was not founded until 1917. The unit, which was founded by Brig. Gen. Henry Thompson, was 240 members strong during its first few years of existence. In 1921, however, the program was abolished and it was not until 1939 that a new ROTC unit was formed. Today about 480 students don military uniforms every Tuesday and Thursday, representing the three ROTC units on campus: the Navy with option of becoming a Marine officer, the Air Force and the Army. THE NAVY AND MARINES Q The Navy and Marines ROTC unit is the oldest on campus. Since its establishment in 1939, the unit has commissioned about 1,200 officers in the Navy and Marines. The ROTC program is designed as a training ground in leadership and military life through social c anrl cfriir>#nri?H militnrv rlacccc I ! S Marines Maj. Steven Shook said. Although the unit is run by Navy personnel and regulations, some midshipmen may choose the Marine-option track of the program, Shook said. Cadets are required to complete a scries of classes, military labs and summer training sessions to be commissioned, the Marine instructor said. A "The Navy has a freshman orientation program one week before classes start, which gives the midshipmen a taste of what military life is like," said Amy Potts, a mechanical engineering senior. During the week, all midshipmen are up at 5:3C a.m. for instruction on proper military behavioi and drill, Midshipman Lt. Potts said. A midshipman's week, in addition to regulai classes, includes three hours of general militarj courses, lectures on Tuesdays by instructors on per tinent subjects such as drug abuse and internationa terrorism, and a 75-minute drill practice or Thursdays, said international studies senior Miki Strieker. The drills and other ROTC activities such a: A volunteering for special events and evaluating mid shipmen are organized by ROTC midshipmen Strieker said. The midshipman battalion is set u] line tnc regular rsavy witn a cnain 01 commana starting with the battalion commander, whose dut; is to oversee all activities of the unit. "During the year we do a wide number of ac tivities. For example, this semester we volunteers to help with the Governor's Cup Run. Seven o eight cadets participated as cadets in the Mis Wheelchair pageant," said Strieker, the midship man battalion commander. ^ "You learn a lot about people through pai W STUDENT LEADERSHIP THE UNIUERSITY ? Saturday, F< What is the student leadership % training conference? The Student Leadership Training Conference at USC is an opportunity for students to learn how to be more < fective leaders. Experienced professionals will discuss leadership issues in workshops and keynote addresses throughout the day. Who should attend? Students wishing to enhance their personal and leadership skill develop^ ment, and students actively involved i ^ campus organizations will benefit grea ly from participation. What will happen? Conference registration begins at a.m., and the opening session follows 9 a.m. Registration and all conference sessions will be held in the Russell House University Union. Workships v be offered in the morning and afterno by Student Affairs professionals from - t - 1 - -T-1 1 1 , * tne soutneastern region. 1 ne luncneon address will begin at noon. The con Sponsored by the Department of Student Life C NOTE.DEADLINE FOR . 1987. Prepaid fees cannoi date. REG1STI Name ^ Year in School Student Si Position(s) Held Institution Mailing Address Phone Please make checks payable to: Leaderah (Xpartti* ^ g Box 851 f 1 ams provide ticipating in these kinds of special events." During the summer between the freshman and sophomore year, midshipmen on scholarship are required to go on a cruise as enlisted persons, said Strieker, who went to Cuba for his naval cruise. "Cuba was a stressful place to be. The ship and base is where we spent most of our time for an entire month," Strieker said. The month-long training session was a valuable learning tool, he said. ? "It did have its rewards, though, because you got a broader understanding of leadership. You were treated like an enlisted person. You slept and ate with them for an entire month, and you learned about how they lived and reacted." All cadets are required to participate in the summer session, called cortramid, which takes placc between the sophomore and junior years, Strieker said. During the session, midshipmen travel to different bases, starting at the naval base in Jackson ville, Fla., and ending in Little Creek, Va. The onlj exception is ror Marine micisnipmen wno compicu cortramid in Quantico, Va., he said. The next summer, junior midshipmen on scholar ship are required to go on a first-class cruise, when they are treated as junior officers and given ex perience in leadership, Strieker said. Despite the advantages of being in the nava ROTC, Strieker and Potts agreed the Navy an< TRAINING CONFERENCE )F SOUTH CAROLINA ;bruary 7, 1987 ference will conclude at no later than 1 p.m. What topics will be covered s(. in the workshops? Workshops covering basic person* i and leadership skills will be offered. Participants will have a choice of workshops from goal setting and publicity to motivation and stress management. Who will be speaking? n Dr. H. Setzler, President of t- Newberry College, will give the morning address. A key political figure from the southeastern region will speak at the g luncheon. He will address the educaat tional leadership issues from a unique, political perspective. ^iii How much will it cost? on The cost for the conference is $10 for USC students. The price includes a co i tinental breakfast, refreshments, a lun rlipnn anrl rnnfprpr.rp mafprialc >ivision of Student Affairs Paid for in part by Student Fees REGISTRATION IS JANUARY 23, t be returned after the deadline RATION FORM :aff Member lip Training Programs and return with this form to: ent of Student Life. 28. USC. Columbia. SC 29208 tradition, op| Marines are not for everyone. "By the time you become a naval officer you have had some experience and a good head start. You have to work hard and be dedicated to get to where you want to be," Potts said. C#r?/?l/nr c ?i i r\ t / ~\ a Otlivivt'i ocuv* IVJ ucvuiut WUIUI1I1551UUCU UUltCI5, midshipmen have to meet qualifications including fitness tests, military courses and labs, and calculus and physics toward a college degree. THE AIR FORCE Since the Air Force ROTC started in July 1949, | the unit has commissioned 869 officers into the U. S. Air Force. Mike Puffenburger, the group commander of the ! cadet corp, has been in the unit for four years. Like the Navy and Marine ROTC, the Air Force establishes requirements, which cadets must meet to become commissioned officers, said Puffenburger, a political science senior. r The first two years are trial years for cadets, he ; said. Cadets are required to take general military courses in history and weaponry of the Air Force. In addition, military labs instruct cadets on proper : military behavior and drill, he said. During the spring of a cadet's sophomore year, he rvrv>t>a#nr nati Aniiri/^a Cr\ * Ant ri* uaiiuuvriuv iui v,niiy iiuu nit r luiodiuuai 1 Officers' Corp by taking an officers' qualification i test, Air Force Col. Bob Humphreys said. Stiff Wwtiation by Robb lM ~l ^ , ? tinnouncint: Check Us Out A Best-Tastin Pizza 0 COM Domino's Lg. One Item *10.10 can 2 5 Look Us Up Unc Hours: Sun-Thurs 4:30 -1 am Fri-Sat 4:30 - 2 am portunities After being commissioned into the POC, cadets are assigned to an Air Force base for four to six weeks of field training. They can be stationed anywhere in the world, like Florida or England, Humphreys said. Marketing senior Michelle DeWerth has also been with the unit for the past four years. DeWerth, the deputy commander, was stationed at the Vandcnberg, California Air Force Base for field training. "I joined the Air Force ROTC because of my dad. He was in the Air Force and he highly recommended it," DeWerth said. DeWerth said she also joined because she received a scholarship. "But what really cinched it was my experience in field training. I felt good about what I was doing, and I decided that I want to support my country and to give something to my country which has given me so much." Once a cadet has been commissioned into the POC, he becomes enlisted in the obligated reserves, Humphreys said. After meeting all requirements and obtaining a bachelor's degree, the cadet will be commissioned into the Air Force and called to active duty for four years. The Air Force ROTC also gives students a chance to get involved in unit activities, Puffenburger said. The unit has several organizations such as the Honored Air Society, Angel Flight and intramural teams for cadets to participate in. "It is whatever you are going to make of it. Time and commitment arc important. The more you become involved, the more you get out of it," Puffenburger said. THE ARMY The Army ROTC unit was established in May 1980. Since it began, this unit has commissioned about 150 officers in the Army. Army ROTC cadets are required to meet the same basic standards as midshipmen and Air Force cadets, Capt. David Schlessman said. "When you combine the academic load with the military requirements, it is just as demanding for cadets as being in the regular Army," Schlessman said. Finance senior Bill Carter agreed. "When I was enlisted my job was from 7 a.m. to 4:30 in the afternoon. But in college, my job starts early with classes and my work with the unit, and ends late at night when I finish studying," said Carter, the battalion commander. Cadets can also participate in extracurricular activities through clubs supported by the Army ROTC, such as the Ranger Club, intramural teams and the color guard, he said. Soe "ROTC," pa* 10 rhe Return of :?fl | 1 n 1' rp 1 na rediscover inc g, Best-Priced n Campus o^Dcrr IT Pizza Express Lg. One Item *9.00 6-0301 ler Speedy Recdy's Pizza Fast And Free Delivery i