2008 Woodie Awards
ROTC program joins PSUC to offer military and leadership classes
Antonio Graves
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: News
Originally published: 9/27/07 at 6:42 PM EST
Last update: 9/27/07 at 6:40 PM EST
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Aug. 27, 2007 marked the new beginning of the controversial Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program at Plattsburgh State.
After taking a 91-year hiatus, the ROTC program returned after being approved by PSUC President John Ettling. The new program signified a new ROTC affiliation between PSUC and the University of Vermont.
The ROTC is geared toward developing and improving various leadership skills among student cadets. Also, the program prepares young men and women to commission in the National Guard, Army Reserves, or for active duty in the U.S. military.
"We teach them good values, ethics and how to lead other people," Douglas Goodfellow, assistant professor of Military Studies, said.
On the other hand, Elaine Ostry, associate professor in the English department, sahe she does not believe the army has a place in the university system.
"My biggest problem is not people learning military things." she said. "It's when you sign up for the ROTC - you're signing up for an eight-year service that I don't agree with."
Students who choose to use ROTC's financial aid plan are obligated to either serve eight years in the army reserves or four years in active duty. Ostry believes college students are too young to have to make such a taxing decision so soon.
"I feel they (students) should be able to change their minds anytime, just like how some change their majors," she said. "I think that it's great that college gives them a chance to explore their options rather than trying to lock them in."
Goodfellow, who taught the ROTC program at Mankato State in Minn. and Coe College in Iowa, now teaches a number of courses for the program. Such courses include Introduction to ROTC & U.S. Army, Leadership & Training in small organizations, and the Team Development Lab. Students also have the option of taking on the ranger challenge, competitive running, rappelling and joining the rifle team.
In addition, there are summer sessions that students could participate in to further develop their tactical skills. These sessions include airborne school, which teaches cadets how to use a parachute; mountain warfare school, which is for mountaineering; and air assault school, which involves tactical helicopter operations.
After taking a 91-year hiatus, the ROTC program returned after being approved by PSUC President John Ettling. The new program signified a new ROTC affiliation between PSUC and the University of Vermont.
The ROTC is geared toward developing and improving various leadership skills among student cadets. Also, the program prepares young men and women to commission in the National Guard, Army Reserves, or for active duty in the U.S. military.
"We teach them good values, ethics and how to lead other people," Douglas Goodfellow, assistant professor of Military Studies, said.
On the other hand, Elaine Ostry, associate professor in the English department, sahe she does not believe the army has a place in the university system.
"My biggest problem is not people learning military things." she said. "It's when you sign up for the ROTC - you're signing up for an eight-year service that I don't agree with."
Students who choose to use ROTC's financial aid plan are obligated to either serve eight years in the army reserves or four years in active duty. Ostry believes college students are too young to have to make such a taxing decision so soon.
"I feel they (students) should be able to change their minds anytime, just like how some change their majors," she said. "I think that it's great that college gives them a chance to explore their options rather than trying to lock them in."
Goodfellow, who taught the ROTC program at Mankato State in Minn. and Coe College in Iowa, now teaches a number of courses for the program. Such courses include Introduction to ROTC & U.S. Army, Leadership & Training in small organizations, and the Team Development Lab. Students also have the option of taking on the ranger challenge, competitive running, rappelling and joining the rifle team.
In addition, there are summer sessions that students could participate in to further develop their tactical skills. These sessions include airborne school, which teaches cadets how to use a parachute; mountain warfare school, which is for mountaineering; and air assault school, which involves tactical helicopter operations.
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Todd
posted 9/28/07 @ 10:08 AM EST
ROTC....Noooooo Thanksssssss
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