For those on the outside, ROTC might seem a little intimidating. There are so many acronyms, strict protocols, and not a lot of room for error. But that “do-or-die” stigma surrounding ROTC couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, we work extremely hard, but we also find time to have fun and prioritize growth and leadership in everything we do.
What is ROTC?
Think of ROTC as something like a “pre-med” or “pre-law” track, but instead of aiming for graduate school, commissioned cadets look forward to serving in either the Army, Navy, Air or Space Force. In my case, I am part of the Air Force ROTC Cadets. Because of this, we’re expected to reach and maintain a certain level of physical fitness. Every Monday morning at 7:00, the Air Force ROTC cadets of Tufts meet at Ellis Oval (or the Gantcher Center in colder weather) to exercise. On Wednesdays at 7:00, we join the other schools in our detachment—Harvard, MIT, and Wellesley—for a joint workout at MIT.
One big misconception is that you have to be super fit to join ROTC. If you’re on a scholarship, you do need to meet the Air Force Fitness Standard, but if you’re a walk-on (like me!) you don’t necessarily need to be in shape to start. When I joined, I was far from meeting the standard. I remember expressing my concerns to my mentor, Cadet Chang, and she assured me, “Giving it your all is 75% of ROTC—bring a growth mindset because ROTC looks for growth, not perfection.” Three months later, I’ve cut my mile time from 13:00 to 8:30, and I’ve gone from struggling with four pushups to meeting the Air Force standard. It’s challenging, but if you stay committed, you’ll improve. And the workouts can be fun, too—whether it’s the Banana Relay Race, PT in Halloween costumes, or Morale Runs, the PFO and APFO (Physical Fitness Officer and Assistant Physical Fitness Officers) make sure to come up with creative ways to get us to workout!
Leadership and Academic Development
ROTC is about much more than physical training. Each week, we attend an Aerospace Studies class and a Leadership Lab. This is where we really dive into leadership. In Leadership Lab, upperclassmen create Growth Leadership Projects (GLPs) for underclassmen to complete. These projects range from drill practice (marching) to Wargaming (strategizing in a simulated scenario) to even letting us design GLPs for upperclassmen to do. The goal of all these activities is to build leadership and communication skills we’ll use once we commission. Leadership Lab gets us in the habit of making decisions under pressure while allowing room for constructive feedback and growth.
One of the most valuable takeaways from these sessions is the concept of “falling forward.” There’s a lot to learn, and it can feel overwhelming—whether it’s military knowledge or drill routines. But if you give it your best, learn from mistakes, and strive to improve, you’ll do just fine in ROTC.
The Community and Camaraderie
Then there are the more relaxed, social events that make the ROTC experience so rewarding. Our “dine-in” party is a jolly old time; Beware though, because every sentence spoken in it must rhyme! We have corn-hole tournaments (I even got to be a chef for one, cooking up the signature Detachment 365 Popcorn!), and we hold events designed to keep morale high. Just last weekend, I ran the Spartan Race in Fenway Park—a 5K with 20 obstacles! It was challenging but made easier by the bond I share with fellow cadets and our cadre (the officers in ROTC). It was a highlight of my ROTC experience, and I can’t wait to see what else I can accomplish (Boston Marathon, maybe?).
Why Join ROTC?
People join ROTC for all kinds of reasons, but one thing’s true for everyone: it’s a choice that’s as challenging as it is rewarding. ROTC helps you develop leadership skills while becoming part of an incredible community where growth is expected and encouraged. Only iron sharpens iron, and in ROTC, you’ll learn alongside some of the smartest, most driven cadets in the nation.
If you’re looking for a new challenge and want to see yourself grow in ways you never imagined possible, I can’t recommend ROTC enough. Stay tuned—next time, I’ll dive into the Air and Space Forces’ core values and how they shape my life at Tufts.
