Students First, Cadets Second, Successful Always

Mr. Michael Baldi

AROTC Cadet

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History Major, Class of 2008

My first Cadet Experience:

I became serious about wanting to join the military around my sophomore year of high school.  I also knew I wanted to be the first member of my family to get a full college degree.  My sophomore research project consisted of researching opportunities in the U.S. Military.  I found out two options that would allow me to get my degree as well as serve in the U.S. Army: West Point and ROTC.  Better yet, upon graduation I would be a commissioned officer.  My new goal was to pursue the path of an Army Officer.  I decided I wanted to have a somewhat normal college experience while still pursuing this, so my path took me towards AROTC.  I received a scholarship from the University of Portland which was my first choice.

I have been an Army ROTC Cadet and History Major here for 3 years now.  Since being a ROTC Cadet here at UP I have never looked back.  It’s been an amazing experience.  I’m able to do most of the things any normal college student can do, along with things civilians can only dream about - rappelling, Battle Drills, Land Navigation, and leadership skills for the rest of my life. I’ve even had the opportunity to attend spend 2 weeks in the field with Green Berets in training, and have even gone to AIRBORNE SCHOOL!  All of this goes in the philosophy I entered college and Army ROTC with: I’m coming to school to study history, and Army ROTC and my military career will allow me to be a part of history.  It’s not always easy being a Cadet.  We have extra responsibilities and tasks that the average college student doesn’t.  In the end it is all worth it because here in ROTC, we’re a family apart of the Army family.  Army ROTC has given me the opportunity to get my degree as a normal college student would as well as pursue a career as an Army Officer.

Katherine J. Lesh

Cadet SGT, ROTC

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Class 2009

There are so many experiences that each cadet can share about their time here in ROTC, in my case there are a couple of experiences that have changed me the most.  The first is from my time with Ranger Challenge last year.  It was a little intimidating to be one of the few girls trying out, and I felt like I would not be able to keep up or compete with the team.  Although they needed a girl on the team to compete, I wanted to earn it.  I was placed on B team and gave it my all...there were a lot of hard points...feet issues, and general exhaustion, but in the end I faced the greatest challenge...the road march at the competition.   Each team was allowed to drop one of their members along the way, and my body was definitely willing to give in and just stop, but my teammates chose otherwise.   I don't remember much about the road march, exhaustion had settled in long before it was over, but I do remember the encouraging words of bravo team the entire way, and their unyielding support.  We finished dead last, but the experience taught me a lot about not giving up and what it truly means to be part of a team.

The second experience was from this summer.  I was granted a spot at Airborne school and took it!  There's something about jumping out of a perfectly good airplane not once but 5 times!  I'll never forget the training I had there at Ft Benning, and the thrill of it all.  It's hard to explain it all with words, you have to experience it...the training, and falling over and over again, the friends you make, and the thrill of the jumps. I'll never forget it.

Megan M. Duley

C/CSM, ROTC / Command Sergeant Major

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I have always known that being in the Army was my calling, since I watched my father lace his “Black Cadillac’s” up every morning.  After graduating basic training and advanced individual training I was unsure as to whether or not I truly wanted to be an officer.  But after seeing the effects of poor leadership and the tolls it takes on the soldiers I was convinced that I could make a difference, I could do better.  Although being a cadet can be stressful it allows you to realize just how much you are able to accomplish.  As a cadet you are given responsibilities and are expected to help train and assist in the development of underclass cadets.  Your squad is your family and you all strive to be the best in the Company, though you know that every single cadet is bound to you as a fellow comrade.  You’re faced with tasks that you may not face in the civilian world but you learn things about yourself that you’ll carry for the rest of your life, in everything you do. 

I remember one FTX (field training exercise) where it was pouring down rain, cold, and pretty much the best weather you could possibly ask for…yeah, not really.  We set up a patrol base and were told to settle in for the night.  My battle buddy and I laid down a poncho and tried to create the best possible shelter given our limited resources.  We didn’t sleep a single minute that night but we got through it together and laugh about it today.  After something like that you feel unmotivated, cold, wet, and wonder what you’re doing.  But then you see your squad, your comrades, and you’re all going through it together and it hits you: it’s not just about you anymore; it’s about the person next to you.   I will always grateful for the experiences ROTC has given me as they have helped to shape me both as a soldier and as a future officer in the United States Army.