We Are Not The Citadel

ROTC programROTC programbuilds futureROTC programbuilds futuremilitary leaders,ROTC programbuilds futuremilitary leaders,working to alterROTC programbuilds futuremilitary leaders,working to alteroutside negativeROTC programbuilds futuremilitary leaders,working to alteroutside negativeperceptions Wharton senior Paul Beliveau finds it nearly impossible to walk down Locust Walk at a leisurely pace. Some passerbys smile, others step out of his path -- while the inquisitive few stop to question him about the U.S.-Haiti relationship or the University's new safety initiatives. Beliveau's persona has nothing to do with the variety of reactions that greet him. Instead, it is his attire -- a United States Army uniform -- that marks him as battalion command sergeant major in the University's Army Reserve Officer Training Core program. Because of the widely varied perceptions of military service on campus, Beliveau said he spends 30 minutes traveling from the high rises to Van Pelt Library when representing his program in an uniform. In addition to the Army program, the University offers Naval ROTC. Students interested in the Air Force can participate through a program at St. Joseph's University. Some others involved in ROTC said they are trying to dispel misconceptions of those outside the program. "We are not the Citadel. It's relaxed here -- people still have a social life," said Nursing senior Angie Potter, who is the cadet fund manager. "There's a really good chance that if you talk to anyone on campus, they will know at least one person in ROTC." Lt. Colonel Ted Majer, who heads Army ROTC, noted that the program boasts a diverse group in both gender and race. "There is no other diverse organization that is as large and successful as the Army and the ROTC program," Majer said. "We work under high moral standards and strive for fairness." During the past several years, the ROTC program has come under fire at Penn and other universities. Opponents charge that the Defense Department's "don't ask, don't tell" policy governing homosexuals is unfairly discriminatory. Some campus groups at Penn, including the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Alliance, say the Defense Department regulations conflict with the University's non-discrimination policy. But last spring, despite dissent, the University decided not to change its relationship with ROTC. Battalion Executive Officer and College senior Ryan Nielson maintains the "don't ask, don't tell" policy is not an issue. "During my four years here, the policy has never once been an issue or problem," he said. "It doesn't even come up." The Army ROTC program's ultimate goal involves commissioning the Army's future officer leadership by offering high-quality training. The inclusion of mentoring is the most important difference between the University's programming and other methods of training officers. According to Nielsen, the leadership training is available to any student, regardless of his or her desire to become an officer in the Army. He emphasized the importance of fostering leadership and ROTC's development of a "train and evaluate" method for growth. "We must grade something that is ungradeable -- leadership," Nielson said. "Quality leadership is the finished product of years of training and experience." With Majer's arrival as the new director of military science three years ago, the University's Army ROTC inherited a new direction. Majer is not considered part of the University faculty, but he teaches classes for the cadets and brought a new focus on teaching. "Penn students can be placed in a plethora of leadership positions -- but ROTC is the only program that prepares people so they will not flop," Majer said. "I will not let one of my students stumble along with a position. ROTC is a growing and learning experience." This year, there are 71 students in the University's battalion, which includes those from the other participating schools in the area. ROTC uses a three-part process to develop followers into leaders. At weekly classes and labs, experienced seniors fine-tune their skills by maintaining complete control over the Penn battalion, which includes students from La Salle University, Rowan College, Philadelphia College of Pharmaceutical Science, St. Joe's and Rutgers University at Camden. Juniors in the program are classified as young leaders during what is considered the program's most crucial year. They spend the year thoroughly learning leadership techniques and preparing for their largest test -- a six-week program that takes place during the summer before their senior year. The freshman and sophomore phase includes introductory learning and training that help students gain confidence in their abilities. Engineering junior Julia Oh is beginning to see the results of her first two years of training. At a 6 a.m. lab session last Wednesday, Oh taught groups of younger cadets the basic military skills they need to be officers -- marking the first time she was on the other side of the desk. "This leadership process works," Oh said. "Because I was [the] cadet in charge last week, this task was not difficult for me. I have to be prepared so I don't look like a fool, but I already have the necessary skills." Army ROTC also offers several advanced training programs, including the Ranger Challenge, which is described as the "varsity sport" of ROTC. In the Ranger Challenge, a group of nine cadets must work together to accomplish physically and mentally challenging tasks. Battalion Operations and Training leader and Engineering senior Mark Andres, who is very involved with the University's Ranger Challenge program, explained that cadets particularly learn accountability from the program. Unlike most other universities that offer ROTC, Penn will not grant credit for military courses or labs. Schools like Notre Dame University and La Salle count ROTC as a full-credit class. Andres said although the extensive work without class credit is difficult, the people who remain in the program are extremely dedicated as a result.

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