ROTC at The University of Tampa

Ryan Lowe
ROTC at the University of Tampa

ROTC is a program designed to be a leadership course offered at most colleges in the U.S. It also offers students a job after college and possibly a career to follow for the future. Through ROTC programs students go through leadership labs, physical training and field training exercises. All of this goes along with the regular agenda of classes. After graduating from the ROTC program you are now considered a second lieutenant.
At the University of Tampa they offer one of the best ROTC programs in the nation. It is so accomplished that in both 1996 and 2005 two students were awarded the Raytheon trophy from the secretary of the army. This award is so hard to get that it has never been awarded more than once at a non-military college. Joining the ROTC program is also very appealing at the University of Tampa because of the scholarship. The ROTC scholarship offers to pay for 100 percent of the tuition, on top of paying you 1,200 dollars a year as a stipend. Doug Heffner, a former ROTC student, said “ROTC helps a lot when it comes to paying tuition, and it also offers direction after you graduate”, when I asked him why he stopped ROTC since it was such a support, he said, “it takes a lot of time and I wanted to be able to focus more on my major and enjoy college life”. I asked another student, who remains anonymous, what he thought of being in ROTC and whether or not he has ever thought of dropping it as well. He said “I have considered dropping but it helps my tuition too much, and I don’t really mind being in ROTC, it also helps me stay in shape because we have to run all the time”. So despite the physical workouts and the strict regimen it sounds like ROTC can provide a lot for students at the University of Tampa.
Although ROTC may not be for everyone trying to experience the college lifestyle, it can offer great support and provide security as well as help you gain leadership qualities, that you could use both in and out of the army. It has provided a lifestyle for many University of Tampa students.