ROTC gives students leadership

Let me express my thoughts and provide some relevant details that may serve to enlighten those who search for facts. Army ROTC has a very clear direction as we approach the 21st Century. Our elected representatives have provided clear goals and tremendous resources to protect our country because it is required by the Constit ution of the United States of America.

The Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC) was formally established by the National Defense Act of 1916 to provide military training in degree-granting institutions of higher education. A key factor in mainta ining a high quality force is attracting highly qualified and motivated young officers.

In the last 78 years, millions of college graduates have taken ROTC with over 100,000 serving in World War II and 120,000 serving during the Korean War. Just a few famous ROTC graduates are: Lou Holtz, head coach at Notre Dame, General Colin Powell, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, George C. Marshall, Nobel Peace Prize winner and secretary of state, James Earl Jones, actor, Frank Wells, former president of Walt Disney, and Nancy Sherlock, Space Shuttle Endeavor astronaut. Today over 65,000 students are enrolled at nearly 330 major colleges and universities. Women were first accepted in 1972 and now account for almost 20 percent of these pos itions, and that percentage continues to grow.

ROTC on this campus is divided into two programs. The basic program (which currently has 52 students) is open to any student who wants to learn more about the military establishment. Any student can en roll for just one semester or take all four semesters. It's an elective and there is no military obligation at all. Students who don't wish to continue may walk away with no questions asked and no commitments made. We spend time in the classroom for a cademic credit and offer a chance to participate in physical training twice a week and a leadership lab once a week for those students who are seeking more exposure and training.

The advanced program (which currently has 46 students) is for juniors and seniors who have firmly committed themselves to receive their college degree and become federally commissioned officers. Some of these students have chosen to stay in the Los Angeles area following graduation and will accept commissions in the Ar my Reserve or the California National Guard. The remainder have selected active duty options in one of 16 different career fields such as aviation, intelligence, finance, engineering, medical service, military police, and the combat arms.

Each stud ent must earn his commission the hard way, by finding the right formula to achieve high academic grades, complete required ROTC training, and usually struggling to find enough money to stay in college. The Army provides these students $100 per month a s a stipend (this will increase to $150 next year).

Today's world faces many challenges. American forces are working in over 60 countries at this moment accomplishing a host of missions to include peace-keeping, nation building and humanitarian ass istance. America is not an isolated nation. It has vital interests beyond our shores. We continue to reach out and search for new frontiers. Today who are training and preparing those who volunteer to lead tomorrow.

We openly invite any student or faculty member to come by our offices, classrooms, or leadership labs and observe our program. Ask the students some questions, they are our best spokespersons. We are very proud of the quality and diversity of our people here at California State Long Beach.

ÐCaptain Skip Atwood
assistant professor, Army ROTC