Ever wonder what the men and women in uniform do once they graduate from The University of Memphis?
Students graduating under the ROTC program not only obtain a degree in a specific major, they also increase their opportunities for careers with the ROTC experience.
Aaron Karcher is a senior computer engineering technology major and a Cadet Wing Commander for the Air Force ROTC and will graduate in May. Because of his military training at The U of M, he will rank higher than 70-80 percent of the entire military.
“I will rank higher than someone who has been in the military for 25 years,” he said. “I’ll rank higher because I have gone through ROTC commissioning and have a degree.”
Karcher will be guaranteed a job as a 2nd Lieutenant pilot trainee in June. When he was a sophomore, he signed up for this position for 12 years with a starting salary of $32,000.
“The Air Force ROTC is a great opportunity for anyone with a dream of flying, that’s why I did it,” Karcher said. “All you have to do is be able to deal with the physical and mental part.”
One of his most memorable experiences was during field training in the summer of 2000. Karcher was in charge of a group of 60 and put in a high stress environment from lack of sleep or constant yelling.
By being exposed to this type of setting, Karcher said he learned the hardships faced by a true leader. He learned to follow orders, and, in turn, lead his people.
“After surviving the field training, you get the leadership positions,” said Karcher. “I learned that you have to be clearheaded to fly an airplane.”
The Navy ROTC program is structured to produce leaders as well. This program is four years long, and students take classes in school to learn basic information about the military.
“These students gain a good understanding of leadership as a division officer in the Navy or as a platoon commander in the Marines,” said Lt. Paul Colston, assistant professor of naval science. “Once they graduate, they will receive more specific training as naval flight officers and pilots in Pensacola, Fla. They will learn to fly for two years and will hopefully qualify as naval aviators.”
All of the marines go to basic school in Quantico, VA. It does not matter if they are in artillery or studying to be lawyers — marine officers are all sent here first for about six months.
“When the students leave our program and go out to their fleet, they go out with confidence of what they need to do,” Colston said. “When they are doing their jobs, they can reflect back on their training through the ROTC and carry out their missions to the fullest.”
