Students at Kean University who participate in Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) are part of Seton Hall University's Pirate Battalion.
The Kean University website describes Army ROTC as, "The goal of the Army ROTC is to provide students with tools, training and experiences that will contribute to a successful future."
Being a part of Army ROTC can help finance one's education. Graduating students who have met the university and program requirements will graduate as Officers in the United States Army.
Kean students take Army ROTC classes at Seton Hall University through the joint program.
Second semester Kean University freshman studying criminal justice, Jacob Garrett is a cadet private within the ROTC program. He decided to join because he wanted to serve his country as a U.S. Army Officer.
"I was fortunate enough to grow up in a family where respecting our flag, country, those who serve it and loving fellow Americans was important," Garrett said.
Garrett was a Navy Junior ROTC Cadet in high school and learned much more about the military.
"ROTC was a perfect fit because it allows me to go to school as a full-time student while attending ROTC as an Army Cadet, and eventually commissioning in the Army as a Second Lieutenant right after graduation," Garrett said.
Although he is only a second semester freshman, Garrett describes his experience in ROTC thus far as rewarding and challenging, as he has been tested and pushed out of his comfort zone many times.
"Whether it was crawling on frozen hard grass for hundreds of yards or training in cold rainy weather at Fort Dix," Garrett recalled, "one of the best parts about ROTC is the bond I have formed with others."
Garrett elaborated on the fact that in ROTC, individuality does not exist and everyone constantly works as a team.
"Everyone helps each other whether it's through training, academics or motivation," Garrett said. "It is like a band of brothers and sisters and it is something I am proud to be a part of."
Jarrod Young is a Kean University senior majoring in physical education with a concentration in global fitness and wellness. He is a Commissioned Second Lieutenant (2LT) in the Army.
Young made the decision to do ROTC because he was not doing well in school.
"The fact there was forward promotion in the unit I was in at the time, my commander recommended me to attend Georgia Military College and do Early Commission Program (ECP) ROTC there," Young said.
He spent two years there once accepted. With his family being involved heavily in the military, he knew he was bound to join as well eventually.
"ROTC was [a] life changing event for me," Young said. "It helped me keep my head on straight and kept me out of trouble."
This experience provided him with the ability to think as an individual, leader and team player, making him the man he is today.
"In ROTC, the only way to get the most out of it is to always be hungry for knowledge and take initiative in anything that pops up," Young said.
Young went on to say that ROTC does have its difficulties, but so does life in general.
"The Cadre are there to guide and mold you into leaders," Young stated. "It's up to you to meet them half way so you can reap the benefits."
The Cadre is a group of instructors that trains potential instructors and leaders.
Young plans on staying in the Army for as long as he can. He plans to continue his education through getting his Master's Degree in a Field of Exercise Science and eventually going on to school for physical therapy.
"ROTC is helping obtain these goals by assisting with paying for my education as well [as] grooming me to be a leader and allowing [me] to use what I learned in their program [and] apply it through life," Young said.
Young described his typical schedule for the week, which balances ROTC classes, training sessions, classes at Kean and extracurricular involvement. Each day the schedule changes depending on the activities and training sessions.
In military time, Young detailed his schedule for a typical Monday:
0545-0550: Formation
0550-0700: Physical Training
0630-0740: Breakfast
0750-0800: Reveille Formation
0800-0850: Cadet Common Training
0900-1505: Academic Classes
1130-1330: Lunch
1530-1800: Clubs
"I usually wake up six days a week at 5:20 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are physical training (PT) from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., which is all mandatory to attend," Garrett said. "Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays are either color guard or drill and ceremony practice through Pirate Battalion or the military fraternity I am associated with, Pershing Rifles."
Fridays are ROTC class/lab days where students will either be in the classroom, learning from class instructors or out in the field training with the Pirate Battalion. Following an hour lunch break, the battalion will meet up and split off into their platoon classes.
"During the platoon class, you learn from your platoon leader, who is a senior, and he or she will go over tactics, Army regulations, leadership, safety procedures and a variety of other topics," Garrett said.
Before being dismissed for the day, the battalion will form up for final formation. Following this turns to time for ROTC extracurricular activities such as Ranger Challenge, color guard, Pershing Rifles or Ambassadors Club.
On top of this, Garrett and his fellow cadets need to balance academic work and make the time to complete homework and study.
"However, fortunately the Cadre always remind cadets that school comes before ROTC, because in order to be an Army officer, you must have your bachelor's," Garrett said.
Garrett feels that being involved with ROTC has benefited his future in many ways, as after the Army, he plans on working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
"ROTC has given me the tools to become successful through managing my time, learning how to lead, develop outstanding leadership and communication skills and above all maintaining discipline," Garrett said.
Garrett is constantly motivated and encouraged by his fellow brothers and sisters within the ROTC program.
Young explained that there are different acceptance requirements depending on a student's status. Freshmen and transfer students have different requirements to supplement their applications. Applicants for the Early Commissioning Program must also meet specific requirements.
"When I joined, I contacted [the] Pirate Battalions Recruiting Operations Officer, Mr. Rene Samayoa," Garrett said.
After this, he provided the list of classes he planned on taking and had to have a physical that is affiliated with Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB). He then had to register for ROTC classes. Since he is not a Seton Hall student, these classes are taken without credit.
The ROTC program will accept everyone to be a part of the program for the first two years of college. Come junior and senior year of college, those involved must accept a contract to serve as an Army Officer.
On Wednesday, March 29, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Miron Student Center, Seton Hall ROTC program representatives will be providing more information for students who are interested in the program.
