ROTC MEMBERS TRAIN PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY WORDS Josiah Abney e'.'l' Rachel Van Curen I I PHOTOS Kaley Burks For 25 Harding students, day-to-day college life changed dramatically when they enrolled in the Reserve Training Core (ROTC) program. In addition to the normal load of classes, social life and homework, ROTC cadets woke up early every morning to train and work towards the objectives of the program. Senior Dylan Pratt spent hours achieving the ROTC program's specific objectives. "[fhe] goal is to produce leaders within the army and train young men and women to become confident and capable enough to lead other men and women in the military, and with life in general," Pratt said. The program offered classes, training and labs for the students to gain skills and knowledge so as to be prepared for graduation. Junior Perry Patton commented on the training, explaining the variety in their weekly schedules. ''We take military science classes that prepare us mentally for the serving in the U.S. Army," Patton said. ''Additionally, we do physical training [on] Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We also have a lab on Thursdays where we apply our classroom knowledge in field training. At lab, we practice squad movement techniques, tactics, land navigation and a multitude of other things that prepare us for the arduous demands of military lifestyle." A unique part of Harding's ROTC program was its regard for faith. "In the U.S. Army, they look for several key strengths in their leaders: mental strength, physical strength and spiritual strength," Patton said. ''With the secularization of society today, many ignore the spiritual aspect of a strong leader. But what makes Harding so special for ROTC is that Harding prepares individuals to live a life of faith, which builds that spiritual strength." Junior Kolton Jenkins agreed with Patton, mentioning that the ROTC training he received at Harding would allow him to become a better officer. ''At Harding, because we are Christians, we tend to really try and learn how to be officers as well as, from a Christian [stance], how to positively affect and lead our soldiers, not only as a military officer, but as a spiritual influence," Jenkins said. Since the start of the program in 2014, the numbers of students enrolled had grown. Pratt thought it was clear as to why the numbers had risen. ''The reason I think we're growing so fast is [because] students want the opportunity to obtain an education while gaining real-life skills that translate into getting a job after graduation," Pratt said. "[For] the Harding program specifically, I believe we have a great atmosphere. This is mainly due to the Christian values that most of the students here at Harding have. [At] the program here, [we're] really striving to be servants." (f) z 0 ~ Cadre Major Rex Thomen critques ROTC members on Sept. 28, 2017, after an afternoon spent training in the field. The members recieved advice to better prepare them for future tasks.// Photo by Kaley Burks i§ z <{ (9 a: 0 Freshman Frazier Thompson and other ROTC members stay active in field training for the Ranger Challenge on Sept. 28, 2017. Members were expected to accurately execute the field plan designeted by their head officer. // Photo by Kaley Burks Senior Sydney Carr observes instructions from officers on Sept. 28, 2017. After time spent training, members were required to reflect on their performance.// Photo by Kaley Burks Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) members including sophomore Justin Vaughn gather for a post-lab debriefing on Sept. 28, 2017, at Arkansas State University at Beebe. The group was addressed by student leaders who critiqued their performance in the field.// Photo by Kaley Burks
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