2008 Woodie Awards
ROTC members learn to balance time between training, classes, social life
By Melissa McFarland
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: Focus
There are also members, such as Christensen, who are involved in other school activities as well, like the Honors Program, which have their own sets of requirements and activities.
"Technically, it is not required, but since we are being paid it is expected of us to volunteer with the program," Christensen said.
Some of these volunteer activities include being on the color guard during the National Anthem, the cannon crew for football games or being a member of the Ranger Team.
There are even circumstances when cadets are sent to extra programs that sometimes overlap with the school year.
Senior Jonathan Turner, Battalion XO, went to Airborne School during the first week of college classes. This extra program caused Turner to be behind in his schoolwork.
"I'm just going to have to work really hard," Turner said. "I'm not going to have that much free time, (but then again) I normally don't."
But the real question is, how do the members of the program balance all of these activities with their schoolwork?
Senior Micah Linderman, BC Battalion Commander, said that the hardest part of the program is the time commitment.
However, Linderman said that Lt. Col. William Bialozor would say that academics should always come first.
"If it came down between your grade and your training, he would pick your grade," Linderman said. "Grades come first."
Linderman said having professors such as these really takes a lot of pressure off the cadets.
"The teachers here are pretty understanding," Linderman said.
When dealing with the extra programs that students miss school for, teachers will often either give cadets the work ahead or exempt them from it.
Most think that having good study habits also helps in balancing the program and college life.
"Before I do anything social, I try to get assignments done first," Christensen said.
Senior Ty Kegarise, the Bravo Company Commanding Officer, said that the hardest part "comes from inside of you. If you can deal with everything, the rest is fun."
"Technically, it is not required, but since we are being paid it is expected of us to volunteer with the program," Christensen said.
Some of these volunteer activities include being on the color guard during the National Anthem, the cannon crew for football games or being a member of the Ranger Team.
There are even circumstances when cadets are sent to extra programs that sometimes overlap with the school year.
Senior Jonathan Turner, Battalion XO, went to Airborne School during the first week of college classes. This extra program caused Turner to be behind in his schoolwork.
"I'm just going to have to work really hard," Turner said. "I'm not going to have that much free time, (but then again) I normally don't."
But the real question is, how do the members of the program balance all of these activities with their schoolwork?
Senior Micah Linderman, BC Battalion Commander, said that the hardest part of the program is the time commitment.
However, Linderman said that Lt. Col. William Bialozor would say that academics should always come first.
"If it came down between your grade and your training, he would pick your grade," Linderman said. "Grades come first."
Linderman said having professors such as these really takes a lot of pressure off the cadets.
"The teachers here are pretty understanding," Linderman said.
When dealing with the extra programs that students miss school for, teachers will often either give cadets the work ahead or exempt them from it.
Most think that having good study habits also helps in balancing the program and college life.
"Before I do anything social, I try to get assignments done first," Christensen said.
Senior Ty Kegarise, the Bravo Company Commanding Officer, said that the hardest part "comes from inside of you. If you can deal with everything, the rest is fun."
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