Southern students learning leadership in the military

With the one-year-anniversary of September 11 the country remembers those who have died and sacrificed for a war against terrorism that now rages on the other side of the globe. Students on Southern’s campus know the personal effects that “911” especially those members of the armed forces.
The military pays through the Montgomery GI Bill and individual scholarships, for a number of students to attend college. In addition many SU students are members of the National Guard, Reserves, or the Reserve Officers Training Crops.
The Southern University Army ROTC, Jaguar Battalion is a collegiate based course for enlisted and non-enlisted persons who want to become Army officers.
“Everybody on campus thinks they got it hard but they don’t have the work schedule I do,” said David Cook, a third year cadet in AROTC.
“I am usually up at 5:15, for Ranger Challenge physical training from 6:00-7:00 AM, my first class starts at 9:00 a.m. and I am in class until 2:00 p.m.,” Cook said, “After that, it’s all studying.”
A twenty-year-old computer science major from Magnolia, MS, Cook was a member of JROTC in high school. After graduating he received a four year ROTC scholarship and recently graduated from Army Airborne School this summer.
“It feels good to be a scholarship cadet because I am getting paid, but I am expected to do more,”said Cook when asked about his scholarship status.
Students who are enrolled in the program are eligible for two to four year scholarships which commits them to military service after graduation. Third and fourth year students in the program also receive a monthly stipend.
Still, for some ROTC students, pay is not the most important reason for enrolling.
According to Captain Channa Spears, there are seventy-six students enrolled this semester. Jennifer Johnson is just one of the forty-seven first year cadets.
“I joined the program in part to get in shape but for the most part, to build a future for myself,” said the eighteen-year-old freshman from Opelousas.
Johnson, who comes from a military background, was forewarned about the work that joining the ROTC would take and the consequences.
“I think as long as I keep having faith, I would be ready for whatever I do or wherever they send me,” Johnson said.
With a father who is a veteran and brother in active service, Johnson is excited to be the first officer in her family and first to finish college.
For money, for a career or just for a course in leadership students here are involved and affected.
Students sill show they are supporting the military by actively recruiting new cadets for not only a career, but also a course in leadership.
“ROTC is the best leadership course in America. It teaches desicion making, and leadership skills that will aid in a military or a civilian career,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ranson Ricks, professor of military science.