UHM Army ROTC Has 2nd Largest Commission

The University of Hawai'i Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program has the second largest commission rating in the western region, which include states such as California, Oregon and Washington.

The Commissioning Mission

Termed the "Commissioning Mission," Army ROTC achieves its goal by commissioning a minimum of 23 cadets to lieutenants every year. With 90 students in the program, coming from UHM, Chaminade, Hawai'i Pacific University and UH-West O'ahu, recruitment levels are fairly high, but with the war on terror at hand it is unknown if this recruitment level and high commission rating will hold steady. Gold Bar recruiters and 2nd Lts. Chad Nakamura and Deanna Manriquez believe it will.
"We do a lot of our recruiting at New Student Orientations, Manoa Experiences, career fairs and by word of mouth," Manriquez said. As for the high commission rating, Manriquez stated, "I think it has a lot to do with location. I think we hold this rating because people like to come to Hawai'i, and our standard is high."

War Bound

The first question and biggest concern most students have about enrolling in the Army ROTC program is the chance of being sent to war.
"We let them know that they will probably be sent to war," Nakamura said. Yet, those students in the Army ROTC program know that it is a responsibility that comes with the job. John Cole, a junior majoring in political science, has been in the program for three years. "I know it's dangerous, but it's part of the job. It's something you have to do," Cole Said.

Preparation

In response to the war on terror the Army ROTC has upped its training in preparation for such an outcome.
"It's more of a presence patrol," Nakamura said.
"We teach them how to deal with snipers, car bombs and how to handle real life situations, not necessarily guerilla warfare. The training is now geared toward situations happening in Iraq. It has turned from conventional war to handling public affairs, learning less threatening postures, and how to react in certain situations. However, basic training is still the same."

Photo courtesy of www.hawaii.edu

UH Army ROTC hard at work

Civilian Recruitment

Even though recruitment levels are believed to remain the same, the numbers have dropped slightly on account that a large amount of the Army ROTC recruitment are civilians, the enlisted active and the National Guard, all referred to as lateral services, and many of which are currently on duty in Iraq.
UH senior and Cadet Leopele Raabe said "because they are employed in Iraq they can't be recruited for the Army ROTC program, simply because they are not physically here." Manriquez added that although numbers are down because of this, they will rise again upon their return. "More people in the military who were in Iraq come back to be officers. They want to provide leadership," she said.

Recruiting Tactics

The Army ROTC also provides its students with many ways in which they can complete their education which proves to be a good recruiting tactic. Nakamura believes that on average 60 percent of those in the Army ROTC program are here because it interests them or are upholding a military family tradition, and 40 percent are enrolled purely for the benefits.
"The vast majority of students come to us because they have a deep patriotic sense, but we also provide a ridiculous amount of scholarships and other programs to collect stipends, and we also offer tuition waivers," Manriquez said.

A Tool For Success

Nakamura states that not only can the Army ROTC provide students with funding; it can also serve as a tool for success. "The Army ROTC can educate them and is one more opportunity for them," he said.
Recruitment for the Army ROTC is based on an application process in which the recruiters look for scholars and good students.
"We look at scholarly achievement and are concerned with grades. We also look for students who are involved in sports and other rewarding activities," Nakamura said. "We recruit more on quality than quantity. We want the intelligent people because they are leading soldiers," Manriquez added.
The Army ROTC program is using technology and smarts to take over. Manriquez and Nakamura send out letters and e-mails to UH freshmen and sophomores who they feel, based on their GPA, should be recruited.

The war on terror can be an intimidating factor when deciding to join the Army ROTC, but as Nakamura says, when recruiting members, "We don't want to intimidate anyone. People aren't treated harshly like how you see on T.V. You are treated with respect and there is no yelling. Most importantly you develop a strong sense of camaraderie."

ROTC General Information

The Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) commissions college-trained officers as lieutenants in four-year, three-year, or two-year programs. Officers may be commissioned in a reserve component, while simultaneously pursuing a civilian career, on active duty, or earn a graduate or professional degree by receiving an educational delay. When commissioned, officers can serve in the U.S. Army, Hawaii Army National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve.