"Choosing a college can be tough and there is a lot that goes into deciding which
school will be a good fit. I decided to visit West Chester University during their
“friendsgiving PT” with the Dauntless Battalion’s Army Reserves Officer Training Corps
(ROTC) to learn more about the school. Friendsgiving is a day where each cadet can
bring an outside guest to physical training to workout with the Battalion for a day.
All the cadre and cadets were extremely kind and professional towards myself and each
other. They made me feel safe, and a part of a family. We conducted workouts that
would prepare us for the battlefield, and for the Army Combat Fitness Test. We pushed
and motivated each other to complete the tasks to the best of our ability. Even though
there were only a select few that knew who I was, everyone cheered me on and made
me feel like I was already a part of the team. The friendsgiving experience that morning
made me realize that West Chester University and the Dauntless Battalion was where
I belonged.
Throughout my entire life, my dad has been in the military, and he is currently a
captain in the Army National Guard. I have always talked about joining the service
because I want to be involved in a challenging organization that will push me to be
the best version of myself. I also want to be the first woman in my family to serve
in the military. I believe that through hard work and dedication, I will accomplish
my lifelong goal of earning my commission as an Officer in the U.S. Army by committing
myself to the Dauntless Battalion’s ROTC. Joining ROTC would mean more than just receiving
a college education and obtaining a commission in the U.S. Army. This program teaches
you how to lead, master communication skills, increase your organizational abilities,
enhance your physical fitness, and obtain a rewarding career and future. The Dauntless
Battalion uses all these aspects in their program. They have senior cadets teaching
junior cadets tactics to use in situations on the battlefield. This gives senior cadets
leadership opportunities while it enhances the junior cadets knowledge of the U.S.
Army. They conduct physical training four days a week to enhance the cadet’s strength
and mobility. The Battalion allows the ROTC cadets to absorb knowledge from ambushing
to map reading during our classroom periods. All three of these aspects of this program
are essential to becoming a successful Officer in the Army.
Serving in the U.S. military would push me out of my comfort zone and assist me with
reaching my full potential by becoming a part of an organization that is bigger than
myself. After growing up with a family member in the military, I understand the positive
obstacles the military can create for you to help you grow as a person and in the
workforce. These obstacles may include putting you in situations you have never been
in before and teaching you how to overcome them, which can make you build self-confidence.
While immersing yourself in an environment that provides you the opportunities to
overcome self-doubt and to work within a team, being in ROTC allows you to earn a
college degree, obtain leadership experience, and prepares you to have a successful
career. I know that an ROTC program will help me fulfill my long-term goal of becoming
an Army officer and have an exciting career while serving my country."
