After disappearing from campus for over a decade, Reserve Officer Training Corps, or ROTC, may be coming back to USM.
ROTC is an opportunity to earn money for college and represent the country while working towards a degree.
The program was active at USM until 1990, but fell through due to lack of awareness and funds, according to Bob Caswell, executive director of Media and Community Relations. At that time USM was one of 50 units of the ROTC program nationwide to be deactivated.
Until 1992, the 100 or so students involved in this program were still offered ROTC introductory courses through USM, and they could enroll in advanced courses through the University of New Hampshire. But more budget cuts and a decrease of enrollment by more than 90 percent resulted in the phasing out of the program entirely at USM.
One student is trying to change that.
“No one has really shown interest since, until now,” said USM student Benjamin Leonard.
Leonard is currently working on bringing the ROTC program back to USM. He said he knows of at least 50 students who are interested, and is confident he can find many more. For the people involved, scholarships are awarded upon good merit and can be worth as much as $70,000.
Bringing ROTC back to USM, however, is a complex process. It would have to be approved by the University, the governor, and the military and over 60 people would have to show interest.
The introductory ROTC program courses are college electives that anyone can try out for two years with no obligation. Until their junior year in the program, the students involved are required to take preliminary courses and learn basic military skills, but would not be required to go to war.
If after the two-year period ends they decide to continue in the program, they would become eligible to be called to war, if there happened to be one at the time.
The classes offered through ROTC include leadership development, military skills and adventure training.
“It would benefit the person joining, the school, the military and our country,” said Leonard.
Leonard encourages anyone interested to contact him via e-mail at: [email protected]
Staff Writer Jackie Pitcairn can be contacted at: [email protected]