Students First, Cadets Second, Successful Always

		Cadet Micka APSU ROTC is providing me the opportunity to finish my Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing. I get to train, grow, and help others everyday in ROTC. I get to be a part of a team that strives for excellence and supports one another along the way. I am excited about my future endeavors and honored to be in APSU’s Army ROTC program, hooah!
		Cadet Willey From an early age, I had always wanted to be an Officer in the United States Army. After searching for ROTC programs at different colleges I came across Austin Peay’s Army ROTC program. The first thing that jumped out at me was the results they produced, that were clearly seen in the quality of officers that graduated from this medium sized college (top 15% of the nation). The summer after my senior year of high school I started my application process for a full-ride scholarship, the rest is history. So far the experiences I have had at APSU Army ROTC have been very challenging both physically and mentally, but still very rewarding. The values I have learned and the discipline I have acquired is irreplaceable and it will stay with me for the rest of my life.
		Cadet Berry I always wanted to be in the Army because of my father and grandfather. They were both Sergeant Majors in the Army. I chose to go to college and join the Army ROTC program. I joined to make my family proud. I recently attended the Leader’s Training Course in Fort Knox where I participated in physical fitness training, learned about Army values and ethics, and weapons training.
		Cadet Bray I joined the Army as a good way to pay for college and to ensure that I would have a job after school, and also have a bit of excitement on the way. I have to say one of the main reasons that I want to be an Army Officer is for the experience and opportunities that are available to me. So far, one of my favorite parts about ROTC is the fact that I can attend various training activities such as Airborne School where I learned how to parachute from a plane or Air Assault School where I learned to rappel from helicopters during the summer and the fact that I can still have a normal college life. In all honesty, I am looking forward to getting into the Army and actually doing what I am getting training for.
		Cadet Henley I decided to join Army ROTC so that I could continue my family’s tradition of service to our country. Also, it is nice to have college paid for. So far, it has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences I have had. I am honored to be in the program and can’t wait to see what lies in the future.
		Cadet Jackson My favorite part of ROTC so far has been the opportunity to be on the Ranger Challenge Team. I enjoy keeping physically fit! I am anxious to compete at the 2007 Ranger Challenge Competition in South Carolina and completing Army ROTC so I can go on and serve as an Officer in the United States Army. Governors Guard!
		Cadet Messenger I served with a Combat Support Hospital (CSH) in Iraq and I hope to branch Medical Service Corps. After joining ROTC, I had a chance to be a member of the Ranger Challenge Team and achieved the highest female Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) score at the 2006 Ranger Challenge Competition. Hooah!
		Cadet Paris I am a transfer student from the University Of California-Los Angeles. I joined the Ranger Challenge Team and look forward to competing at the 2007 Ranger Challenge Competition. Cadet Paris is seen in this photo holding a trophy for winning second place overall at the 2007 APSU Homecoming Scholarship 5K Race.
		Cadet Winn I joined ROTC to improve my quality of life, get a degree, and learn to lead. After 3 years in the Army as an Enlisted Soldier, most recently with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, I decided that I wanted to become an Officer and lead troops. I’ve had a blast in ROTC while participating on the Ranger Challenge Team and with intramural sports.
		Cadet Arias Before I started the Army ROTC program at APSU, I served as an Enlisted Soldier for 4 years, most recently with 5th Special Forces Group. I'm currently serving in both the Army National Guard and ROTC through the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). I have had a vast array of opportunities including the chance to jump out of planes, travel, and develop my leadership at APSU Army ROTC. I can’t wait to graduate and serve as an Army Officer!
		Cadet Doody As the Cadet Battalion Command Sergeant Major (CSM), I am the principle advisor to the Commander on the state of morale, discipline, and training of Cadets. My experiences as a former Enlisted Soldier aid me in enforcing the training and appearance standards for ROTC cadets. I also oversee the Battalion Color Guard for various events in the community including sporting events and parades. I feel I have made a positive impact at APSU thanks to Army ROTC.
		Cadet Herrera My most memorable experience in ROTC was between my junior and senior years at the Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC). All ROTC Cadets attend this 33-day course at Fort Lewis, Washington to get evaluated on all the basic skills that we have been trained on previously and will need in order to be successful as Officers (first aid, land navigation, marksmanship, tactics, weapons familiarization, and so much more). One of the days at LDAC was devoted to Water Confidence Training and we had to complete a 56-foot Slide for Life Tower and a 30-foot Log Walk-Rope Drop. It was intense!
		Cadet Mabry Ever since I could remember, I wanted to become a Soldier in the United States Army. My strong sense of patriotism and desire to serve my nation has its roots in being the son of a U.S. Army Soldier. It is a great honor to serve in the military, and I have everlasting respect for those that defend our freedoms. Therefore, it is the right thing to contribute to our nation, and serving as an Officer is something that I believe is my duty.
		Cadet Warram One of my most memorable experiences in ROTC was being a member of the Ranger Challenge Team. The Ranger Challenge Team competes each year against all the other universities in Tennessee and South Carolina which includes the Citadel, Clemson, University of Tennessee, and Vanderbilt just to name a few. Ranger Challenge Team members are selected by the Team Captain and must be physically fit and competent in land navigation, patrolling, and weapons. The competition is definitely an endurance test, you’ll be going non-stop from 4 AM to midnight doing events like the physical fitness test, grenade assault course, weapons assembly/disassembly, written tests, day and night land navigation, obstacle course, and 10K ruck race.
		Cadet Craig Growing up as the son of an Army Ranger, the military was something that just seemed right for me. I looked up to great leaders that had served our nation such as Joshua Chamberlain, Robert E. Lee, Douglas MacArthur, George Patton, John F. Kennedy, and Colin Powell. I also had a desire to become a helicopter pilot. Therefore, I joined Army ROTC and set my sights on becoming an Aviation Officer in the U.S. Army. Acquiring an Active Duty Aviation slot is extremely competitive and when I found out I had received it during my senior year, I have to say it was the proudest moment in my life. It has been a challenging journey and I believe that ROTC is one of the best leadership training opportunities available.
		Cadet Milam I have served four years in the Army National Guard and ROTC through the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). I am also a member of the APSU Cheerleading Squad and Sigma Chi Fraternity. My inspiration for joining Army ROTC is my father who retired from the Army National Guard after 23 years of service. I branched Quartermaster and look forward to serving as a Platoon Leader in the Army Reserve. ROTC has been the prime source of my motivation to graduate from college and become a leader and serve my nation! I love this program! Hooah!
		Cadet Tomsik The Army has always been a part of my life. My grandfather and father served in the military and I wanted to continue my family’s service to our nation. My experiences in ROTC have challenged me to improve and develop myself as a “Great American.” I also enjoy that ROTC and the Army will provide me the opportunity to travel and experience new people and places. I am excited that in just a few short months, I will be joining my husband (a graduate of this ROTC program).