Troy University is answering the call of duty, producing high-performing ROTC cadets for the U.S. Army and Army Reserve and also providing careers and advancement for its students.
All Troy University’s 2011 graduating ROTC cadets who requested active duty status in the U.S. Army were granted that status, a rare accomplishment. The Army chooses ROTC cadets for active duty status based on their grade point average, physical fitness and knowledge of military skills. The Army’s choice of Troy’s cadets means that they are some of the highest-ranked cadets in the nation.
Maj. Bob Holmstrom, chair of Troy’s department of military science, said that going forward as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wind down, and the Army’s need for new active duty lieutenants dwindles, getting a 100 percent placement rate will likely be tougher.
Col. Bryon Bonnell, who oversees ROTC programs at Troy and Auburn University Montgomery, said in uncertain economic times, the ROTC program can provide students with direction.
“They’ll leave with a designated job and a profession,” he said. “About 60 percent of their peers at graduation will walk out with a piece of paper but no idea what they’re going to do.”
Troy’s ROTC program is also providing military opportunities for non-traditional college students. Current enlisted Army personnel can participate in an ROTC green to gold program which lets them become lieutenants after completing their studies at Troy. Many of the soldiers in the program are active duty Army who continue to draw pay while completing their studies.
John Phillips is a sergeant first class in the Army who got into the green to gold program to earn more authority in the field. Phillips said that becoming an officer will give him more decision-making ability while he’s on active duty.
Brian Baier is a staff sergeant who joined the program to jump start his career. Baier said bureaucracy had kept him from advancing to an officer’s rank, but joining the green to gold program would help him overcome these obstacles.
McKinley Anderson is also a staff sergeant. Anderson is near the sunset of his military career and wants to advance to officer’s rank to max out his retirement benefits.
“I wanted to make the most of my time in the military,” he said.
The ROTC program enjoys a high level of support from Troy University. A national military-directed website recently named Troy University among the top 20 percent of all U.S. universities as being “military friendly,” according to Troy’s office of university relations.
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