I have a question to pose for anyone who reads this. What is the goal of ROTC? Most of you probably answered the end state of a cadet’s career in Army ROTC is to commission and become a 2LT in the world’s greatest fighting force. What else does ROTC consist of other than the mandatory evaluation cards, pt, leadership labs, and field training? ROTC for me was much more than the end-state. Yes, it has helped to provide me with discipline to strive and excel in college, as well as the much needed financial help. Aside from all of the standard rhetoric of what ROTC is, the program has developed for me life long friends. Only a soldier, cadet, or individuals that all strive for the same goal and experience the same obstacles understand what true camaraderie is. This is a great unintentional result of the Army. Now, of course any high-ranking military leader will say that’s what the Army is about. As far as I know there isn’t a FM on how to develop true friendships that extend beyond the battlefield in the Army.

The Army doesn’t teach us to be close. It’s the Army way of life and the Army experiences that bring us close. These experiences are what set us apart from our civilian friends. For us in ROTC, it’s about walking around campus at 05:30 to rush to pt then later in the morning seeing your friends complain about being up for their 08:00 class “So early”. Those who understand simply smile back at the friend knowing you have done so much more in your morning then he or she will do all day. It’s about rucking a 10K at an FTX while wishing and complaining the whole time to your ROTC friends about how you wish you were back home watching the football game. The truth is you wouldn’t trade it for the world. Yes, of course you would love to be in the comfort of your couch or in the arms of your girlfriend or boyfriend, but there is nothing better than experiencing a great obstacle with your best friends. It bonds you closer than only those who have experience truly understand. One time I had to leave an FTX to head back to campus to take an exam. I made the decision to head back to the FTX after the exam to sleep in the cold night with my friends and ruck in the morning. I then was asked by a civilian, “Why would you do that? You should have just stayed home.” I simply smiled and went about my day, because I knew they wouldn’t understand if I explained it. It wasn’t because I wanted to be tough. It was about the camaraderie that only we can relate to in the Army. It was about not making my friends do it without me. That’s what ROTC has been for me.