ROTC A University presence in the military by Clarence Hein Uniformed ROTC cadets in PSU classrooms may be viewed as a military presence on campus, but Major Robert Pool, Officer in Charge of the new Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program al PSU, sees it another way. In Pool's mind, ROTC is "a university presence" in the military. Major Pool, a pnxJud of ROTC himself, is quick to poinl out that ROTC is the source of • full 85 percent of all active duty and reserve officers in all branches of the military. "This arrangement," he says, "helps preserve a very unique thing we have in this country; a civilian·based military organization," And the addition of PSU to the ROTC foster of campuses adds another unique dimension to the relationship, Pool says. "I suspect that, of the 90 to 100 Army ROTC schools in the western U.S.," Pool says, "we, at PSU, probably are unique in that we are the only institution of any size that is a public institution, in the central city, and without a resident student population of consequence. We also are in a unique state in SO far as acceptance of the military goes because we are the only stale west of Minnesota that I know of that does not have a major milital)' installation. " The 15 PSU students enrolled in the ROTC commissioning program this year, Pool says, reflect the general profile of all PSU students. "They are older," he says, "more serious, if you will, with a little less time for traditional college activities. They are more mature, both in age and temperament." That means the army will get a slightly different kind of officer from the PSU program, Pool believes. " I submit that mix is what makes us strong, not only in the officer corps, but in society. It's important that we not have everyone commissioned out of one kind of school. We need that balance." The unique PSU profile also creates problems for Pool. Scheduling of classes and other activities, for example, is more difficult here than at a campus with a larger resident student body. But the disadvantages are more than offset by the advantages, including PSU's strong academic programs (particularly in certain foreign languages and urban-related courses which are not available elsewhere, Pool says). Students enter the ROTC program at PSU in a variety of ways, including duty in the reserves, service as an "intem", and completion of an accelerated summer course. In addition to the requirements of their regular majorS, the cadets musl complete courses in military science and history, leadership training, and summer camp 10 earn commissions as second lieutenants. The diverse group will also have in common the completion of a six-week "Ieadership assessment" exercise at Ft. lewis, Washington this summer. PSU's ROTC program operates as an extension of the OSU program. Expansion to independent department status will follow increased enrollment, which Pool is confident wit! come. In addition, PSU is a base for participation in ROTC for students at other area campuses. ROle cadet Scott Bums found the first day of we.. ring his Anny uniform on c:ampus fairly interesling. ''There wasn't a lot of eye contact," he joked. Student's service maintains 'informal family tradition' For sophomore Scott Burns, enrollment in ROTC is helping him maintain an "informal family tradition" of military service while, at the same time, breaking a little with that tradition to serve as an officer rather than an enlisted man. It also i:i helping pay his way through his undergraduate studies. "My father and brother both served in the military," Burns says, "and my uncle was a P.O.W. in World War II. So I just always thought I would serve, too." At age 22, Burns is somewhat older than the typical college sophomore. He also has spent time in the work force and his experiences there played a direct role in his enrollment at PSU. " I worked for the telephone company for two and one-half years," he says, "but whenever there were opportunities for advancement 1 would run into these barriers because 1 hadn't been to college." Burns is a business major and is considering law school following graduation from PSU. He is a. member of the Army Reserve (the 104th Division in Vancouver) and still is undecided whether to remain in the reserves or seek active duty when he completes his ROTC training. He says he is keeping his options open, something the flexibility of the ROTC program allows him to do. (Far left) Eric Bell, Mike Maxwell, Seo" Haynes, Edward lyman and "pI.ltoon leader" Sea" Burns sing imd marie time during marching lab .II. the Tigard A.rmory. (left) f'~nces Hong, one of tM two contract women in PSU's ROTC unit, .Jnd Dennis F.a", discuss a text with their History of World War II professor Basil Dmytryshyn. Photos by Cynthia D. Stowell 5
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