(-- The Beacon)
By Danielle Bibbs
Here we go again.
Another article in The Beacon about Army ROTC and how it is so much harder than what everyone else on campus attempts to do.
OK, maybe Army ROTC is not the hardest thing you could do on campus, but you have to admit it's a lot of hard work. You already know about our early mornings, late nights and forest-filled weekends and you see us in uniform at least three times a week. I know you've seen us with our 70-pound rucksacks walking around campus, and yes, they are fake rifles.
You know this stuff is hard. So rather than beat you to death about our hardships, I'd rather fill in what other articles have left out.
Army ROTC cadets are the coolest kids on campus. Aside from being exceptional students and being in good shape physically, Army cadets are just overall good people. You can tell just by the way we treat ourselves, our people and everyone else. Every cadet is a brother (or sister) to the program. It's one big family. Almost like a fraternity but without the hazing and cliché T-shirts. And just like real siblings or frat brothers, we don't always get along. But at the end of the day, we will always be there for each other. It's even a part of our warrior ethos: I will never leave a fallen comrade. This applies on and off the battlefield. From hanging out with each other to giving each other rides, buying each other lunch or paying for everyone's dry cleaning, Army cadet's will always have each other's backs. Always.
Then there is the way Army cadets treat other people. In a world of apathy and self interest, Army cadets take time to get to know people. We accept and respect people. I don't mean to sound like a proud mom but I've never seen more courtesy, chivalry and consideration in my life. Sure we can get pretty competitive in our studies or with sports, but we value good relationships. Taking our dating lives for instance. If you've been blessed with the admiration of an Army cadet, you probably know that it was quite an experience. These guys and gals can't wait to show you off to their friends, take you out on cool dates, meet your friends and then come back to the group and gush about how it all went.
And then there are the parties! Army cadets have the best parties. I'm not talking about those parties that P-Safe frowns upon or the ones when you end up completely hammered and in someone else's bed the next morning. Think more along the lines of themed costume parties, surprise birthday parties and holiday dinner parties. Every time Army cadets get together there's tons of food, fun and great discussion. It's not about party rocking, it's about socializing. But, we are pretty crazy dancers.
I'd be lying if I said Army cadets don't have those other kinds of parties as well, but I can neither confirm nor deny that those parties exist unless you're 21.
Army cadets are regular UP students. Sometimes people forget that we are like everyone else. We go to class, love CPB movies and really want to go to Dance of the Decades. We wish the tables in The Commons were bigger so we could seat all 38 members of our friends at the same table.
So what about Air Force ROTC? Oh well, I don't want to speak for them, but I'm sure they are just as cool. Maybe even cooler.
However, in the spirit of a friendly rivalry that continues to brew between us, Go Army, beat Air Force! HOOAH!!
