Military a part of CSU campuses
More ROTC scholarships because of diversity
By Chyrstie Covington
The Collegian
Both the amount of scholarships and the money available from the ROTC program are up, even though general program enrollment is slightly down.
With the economy improving and Americans’ guard lowered since 9-11, the Air Force ROTC has fewer cadets enrolled this year than usual.
Air Force ROTC statistics show that between 2001 to 2006, an average of 83 cadets were enrolled in the program each year. The number of cadets has dropped recently, with 71 cadets enrolled last fall and 65 cadets enrolled currently.
However, ROTC officials said the statistics are misleading.
Joseph Brozena, Jr., Commander of the Air Force ROTC said the numbers of cadets enrolled is about normal.
“The numbers of cadets fluctuates about 10-percent from the fall to spring semester each year,” Brozena said.
The decline in cadet numbers did not bring a decline in scholarships.
Brozena said the ROTC offers more scholarships because its national headquarters in Alabama classifies Fresno State as a Hispanic Serving Institution. The program allows the Fresno State ROTC to offer 25 percent more scholarships than the past five years’ average.
Minority statistics from the ROTC show 22.54 percent of cadets enrolled during the fall semester of 2005 were Hispanic, making the number higher at Fresno State than other schools. This qualifies Fresno’s program for more scholarships.
“This means that there are more scholarships for Fresno State cadets than cadets at other schools,” Brozena said.
Students do not have to be Hispanic to receive one of these scholarships, Brozena said. With 67 percent of cadets labeled as Caucasian, more students are eligible for scholarships.
The Sept. 11 Effect
Brozena said enrollment was especially high during 2003. He said he thinks the events of Sept. 11 played a role in increased enrollment the following two years.
“Everyone was patriotic and wanted to join the military,” Brozena said.
Since the events of Sept. 11, enrollment has slightly tapered off giving cadets more opportunities to receive a scholarship.
To qualify students must be a United States citizen, a full-time student at Fresno State, maintain a 2.5 GPA and be physically qualified.
“We want to give these scholarships to students that are potential officers for the Air Force,” Brozena said.
An Army of Many
The Air Force ROTC may have declining numbers, but the Army ROTC program does not.
Joel Manning, Commander of the Army ROTC said the enrollment for his program has gone up the last two years. He attritributes the increase to the department’s new recruiter, Capt. Will Stanley.
Although Stanley said he denies the increase in enrollment is due to his recruiting efforts, he said he thinks the numbers would remain up with anyone out promoting the program.
“It’s just because there’s someone out and about the community promoting the benefits of joining this program,” Stanley said.
Unlike the Air Force ROTC, the Army ROTC is given goals in terms of enrollment each year by the Army department.
“I would like to not have goals,” Stanley said. “My goals are simply to find as many qualified people to make officers in the Army.”
The goals handed down from national headquarters are to make up for the residual loss for reasons ranging from retirement to people leaving the service, Stanley said.
Manning said he has increased the Fresno State Army ROTC program’s marketing and recruiting efforts, thus helping enrollment.
“I believe the increased enrollment is because of our interface with the university,” Manning said.
While that may be true, Stanley said there are other reasons.
“There’s a lot of factors, from a sense of patriotism to a lack of employment opportunities,” Stanley said.
“But it’s a misconception to believe that the Army will simply take anyone.”
The Army is one place to pursue a career since it does offer housing, food, medical services and retirement programs.
Work and Play
The ROTC programs fall under the Craig School of Business, Manning said he has tried to capitalize on marketing in the business department about their scholarships and programs offered.
Brozena said the Fresno State cadets has also competed in the Warrior Challenge for more than 10 years in competition with other schools such as U.C. Berkeley, San Jose State and Sacramento State.
The tournament includes a relay race, soccer and flag football. Fresno State has won five championships in flag football including both 2004 and 2005.
“This isn’t for everyone,” Brozena said. “A lot of students want to join to check it all out but realize it’s very competitive.”
The competition can be seen on paper, too. Brozena said his cadets’ GPA for last semester. He said he has some students with 4.0 GPA and the lowest with a 2.5 GPA. However, the average cadet has a GPA at or above a 3.0, making selection to the officer program even tougher for cadets since there are so many with a high GPA.
Moving Up, Moving On
Brozena said he does not select cadets to continue in the program and become officers. He teaches and advises students in order to improve the Fresno State program. He leaves the selection process up to those at the Air Force ROTC headquarters in Alabama.
After their first two years of enrollment, only some student cadets are selected to continue their enrollment with the ROTC. If selected, cadets take more leadership and ROTC academic courses on becoming officers in the Air Force during their junior and senior years.
Cadets have to devote their time and energy to the ROTC program, Brozena said.
With enrollment down, Brozena focuses on success within his program and for his cadets.
Brozena said he takes a more laid back recruiting style in comparison to the Army ROTC, with its aggressive push to enroll. He visited San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno last week with hopes of recruiting more students.
“We let people gravitate to us,” Brozena said.
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