Over 30 years has passed since Colorado Mesa University (CMU) last had a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. Soon, the program will return to the university.
There isn’t an exact date for the program’s launch yet. Amanda Herron, Veteran’s Benefits and Services Coordinator at CMU, said the project’s arrival will take longer than a year. It all depends when the applications for the program are approved.
Herron has worked to revitalize the ROTC program the entire time she’s worked at CMU’s veteran’s center—about six years. Herron said she wanted to bring ROTC back because she received almost daily calls from high school students begging for its return.
“With Central [High School] having a Junior ROTC program, I think it will provide an opportunity for those students to stay local, rather than leaving town, as well as expose our current students to more of a military culture,” Herron said. “I think it would bring positive changes to this town as well as this school.”
The ROTC program at Mesa State College once consisted of an avian branch, and CMU is now interested in starting an army branch and expanding from there. The university is working with Colorado Senator Cory Gardner when moving forward with this development.
“Right now, we have a really great veteran population, and I feel like it would be nice to have additional students who are interested in the military,” Herron said. “So, it would bring a different culture on campus, I think. We seem to be a school that’s big on diversity, and the school has been great at being accepting of our veterans. I just think adding another component with the military and the high school students getting involved, I just think it would be even more beneficial to our school.”
Students must apply for their application to be accepted into the ROTC program at the collegiate level. If students are granted their application and meet the requirements, then they are accepted into the program. Students then choose from universities that offer their branch’s program. After being accepted, tuition and fees are covered for cadets. These scholarships are paid for by the ROTC program, so no profit is taken away from CMU or its students.
“We’re working with our elected officials to bring [the ROTC] program back,” Public Relations Director at CMU David Ludlam said. “I think it will bring optionality for potential students who both want to get an education and serve their country.”
“It seems like there are challenges everywhere,” Herron said. “The school is completely on board now, so that’s helpful. Before it was me just trying to research it. But it’s been trying to get ahold of the military, it’s been talking to the Congressmen. . . we’ve been told the process is still a long process.”
