ROTC recruitment

A story about the push to recruit more ROTC members at campuses across the nation and the demand for more 2nd lieutenants.

http://mainecampus.com/2009/10/01/rotc-seeks-to-increase-recruitment/

ROTC seeks to increase recruitment
By Sara Breau
Posted on Thursday, October 1st, 2009, 1:28 am

ROTC programs on campuses nationwide are making an effort to increase the number of students participating in the military program and especially the number of second lieutenants produced each year. The University of Maine is no exception.
“The army as a whole has a large officer campaign program going on,” said Major James A. Karcanes, an assistant professor of military science at UMaine. “The army, for the first time in its history, is actually campaigning and recruiting for officers because we’re trying to increase our officer strength in the army and ROTC produces 75 percent of the army’s officers.”
This effort is occurring at ROTC programs across the nation. Paul Kotakis, spokesman for the U.S. Army Cadet Command, said in an interview with Mercury News that they are being asked to produce more second lieutenants.
The increased demand for second lieutenants is prompted by the army’s efforts to boost its overall numbers. A more pressing answer can be found by looking overseas.
“Because of the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and multiple deployments, a number of officers are getting out. The army is also trying to increase their overall numbers by roughly 40,000, and we need an increase in officers to go with that. But yes, there have been a lot of junior level officers getting out after their service requirement so we’re trying to fill in that gap,” Karcanes said.
The UMaine has about 75 people in the program, some of whom participate from other campuses, including University of Maine at Augusta, University of Maine at Farmington, University College of Bangor, Thomas College and roughly 20 members who operate from Husson University.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for students to experience what it’s like to be in the armed forces, plus it gives them an opportunity to become leaders,” said third-year environmental law student Thomas Conley.
While the reasons for joining ROTC differ depending on the individual, there are some key factors that influence the majority of participants, according to Karcanes.
“They want to serve the country in some capacity, or they’re drawn to the military lifestyle. The biggest thing is leadership opportunities. They’re going to gain leadership and management skills that can help them in any job, even outside the military,” Karcanes said.
Another incentive for potential members is the assistance ROTC can provide with college expenses. This year, the UMaine ROTC program awarded six full-year scholarships, which covered all student expenses except for room and board. Contracted cadets also receive a monthly stipend of $300 to $500, as well as a $1,200 book allowance.
“We have two different types of cadets,” Karcanes said. “Those who are just participating in the program — they’re enrolled, but they haven’t signed paperwork to commit that once they graduate and are commissioned they’ll come in the army.” Then there are cadets who have signed a contract making a commitment to serve time in the army. “Anyone that receives a scholarship has to contract. Roughly half of our 75 are contracted, so we know they’re going to be getting commissioned.”
Members of ROTC participate because of a variety of incentives, but the major factor is what campuses nationwide are working toward: producing officers.
“ROTC worked out for me mainly because I’m in college right now — it was more college money and I also want to be an officer,” said second-year computer science student Adam Hanson. “The officer’s point is to administrate the military and to keep it running. ROTC gives you a lot of options once you get out. When you complete ROTC you’re a second lieutenant, which is an officer rank, and there’s a lot of respect for that. Basically that carries over to the rest of your life. Anyone who sees that is going to know that you can handle stress, you can work with people and basically, for any job I can imagine, it’s going to look good.”
Hanson enlisted in the military at the age of 17 and is a member of the ROTC program at UMaine.
“If you plan the military out to work with you, then it will and it will be one of the greatest choices you ever make. But if you don’t do that, and you kind of just go by what other people say and wing it then you’re going to end up making a wrong choice,” Hanson said.
Those participating in ROTC have said it carries over to other aspects of their student life.
“One of the best things about ROTC, in my opinion, is that there is huge emphasis on grades. Obviously along with teaching leadership skills, the other main focus is grades and finishing college. I know that for me, if I was not in ROTC, my grades would not be as good as they are now,” said ROTC member Steven Hansen. “It is definitely worth joining and becoming an officer in the Army. Aside from the financial benefits and knowing you have a guaranteed job when you graduate, you get the feeling of knowing you are part of something greater.”
About 33 percent of UMaine’s ROTC cadets are also members of the Maine National Guard. Members of the ROTC staff will be present at the UMaine football game Oct. 3 to speak with interested students about the program.
“The best thing is to come talk to us in person and we can find out if they meet the criteria,” Karcanes said. Major Darryl Lyon is the enrollment officer and works out of the ROTC office located in the field house.