My son is an AROTC MSI at a large state U with a large ROTC program. He finally contracted last week.
The other night I received a call from his Battalion Commander. Before he introduced himself I took him to be a telemarketer. (I hope I didn't sound rude.) He called to tell me what a great son I have and what a great job his mom and I did with him. I told him he has it backward and to keep my son's canteen full of whatever they've been puttting in it.
Is that a phone call among a long list and simply part of his responsibility as a Commander? Or should we treat it as somehting special?
I know the question seems self-serving. It really isn't. No one, and I mean no one saw it coming that my son would go ROTC. Let's say he has a "history" with authority figures. He is scary smart and can spot a phony from a mile away. When he does, it's game on. At the same time, if the authority figure is the real deal, my son will take a bullet for them. The commander himself epitomizes "the real deal". My son's statement was that the commander is the single most impressive person he has met.
He says that ROTC is his favorite part of college. Last night he told me that when ever he spots another cadet on campus, they look at each other knowing that the other was up before dawn doing a 7 mile ruck march in 15 degrees. We couldn't be prouder.
For all of you fretting over getting scholarships, the experience, for a motivated young man or woman is worth it without the $. I know the $ makes it easier, but that knowing glance across the quad at the person you carried on your back for 100 yards, is priceless.
The other night I received a call from his Battalion Commander. Before he introduced himself I took him to be a telemarketer. (I hope I didn't sound rude.) He called to tell me what a great son I have and what a great job his mom and I did with him. I told him he has it backward and to keep my son's canteen full of whatever they've been puttting in it.
Is that a phone call among a long list and simply part of his responsibility as a Commander? Or should we treat it as somehting special?
I know the question seems self-serving. It really isn't. No one, and I mean no one saw it coming that my son would go ROTC. Let's say he has a "history" with authority figures. He is scary smart and can spot a phony from a mile away. When he does, it's game on. At the same time, if the authority figure is the real deal, my son will take a bullet for them. The commander himself epitomizes "the real deal". My son's statement was that the commander is the single most impressive person he has met.
He says that ROTC is his favorite part of college. Last night he told me that when ever he spots another cadet on campus, they look at each other knowing that the other was up before dawn doing a 7 mile ruck march in 15 degrees. We couldn't be prouder.
For all of you fretting over getting scholarships, the experience, for a motivated young man or woman is worth it without the $. I know the $ makes it easier, but that knowing glance across the quad at the person you carried on your back for 100 yards, is priceless.