Plenty of college students take on a job to help get through those costly classes. But another option that may be growing in popularity is “rott-see”….the Reserve Officer Training Corps. Lieutenant Colonel Michael De Puglio says at UNI he sees plenty of interest.Plenty of students who already belong to the Guard or Reserve find it easy to join ROTC and get increased benefits while they earn a commission in the Army. UNI has only Army ROTC, the U has Air Force as well, and ISU has both those plus Navy ROTC. DePuglio admits there’s a financial incentive that may attract some students. He says the economy’s a part, but students find becoming an officer and doing military service is more appealing than it was to the college kids of years ago. For some the military career is the appeal, for others it’s a way to pay for college and get some extra training.Some come in thinking they’ll get leadership training that will help them in a civilian career, but some change their mind and opt for the military after all. DePuglio says the ROTC students aren’t going to be sent off to Afghanistan anytime soon.They’ll remain cadets while they’re students, and will move into active duty or reserves assigned to various units only after they graduate. DePuglio says many students who’ve gone through UNI’s ROTC program come back and tell new classes about their experiences. De Puglio is head of UNI’s military science department.
