As US Army struggles with recruitment, UMN Army ROTC cadets continue to learn and lead
Nov 19, 2022 06:35AM ● By EditorWatch the KARE 11 Report here
Photo: KARE 11
By Jasmine Boykin from KARE 11 • November 18, 2022
As if being a college student isn’t tough enough, hundreds of Army ROTC cadets at the University of Minnesota go through physical training, interpersonal skills and leadership development multiple times a day.
They hope to become officers after graduation.
"Sometimes it's a little sad to see other people on campus having a normal day but at the end of the day, it makes you a little more mentally stronger,” said UMN Army ROTC cadet Alyssa Abke.
The junior mortuary science major says balancing life as a student and an officer can be tough — but as a self-proclaimed military brat — she says she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It gave me a lot more motivation as a college student because you are around people who are pushing to be better and better themselves,” said Abke.
People like Maggie Fliszar, a fellow cadet who said joining the program exposed her to unlimited opportunities.
"If your interest is art, the Army has graphic designers. If you want to be a journalist, the Army has journalists. If you want to be a lawyer like me, the Army has lawyers,” said Fliszar.
But even with all that opportunity, Alyssa and Maggie are in a growing minority of young adults.
According to a recent report from CNBC, the U.S. Army missed its 2022 recruitment goal by 15,000 soldiers, or 25%. It also cut its projected size of the overall force for the year by 10,000.
“It is a little bit disheartening. [The Army] has a lot of options, it doesn't necessarily mean the guns you see in the movies. There is a place for everyone," said Abke.
The report cited a tight job market that's impacting all industries as a partial explanation for the decline in recruitment but also pointed to other factors unique to a younger generation, things like obesity, mental health issues, drug use, or a criminal record.
But for students interested in the ROTC program, Professor of Military Science Lieutenant Colonel John Nguyen says these reasons can be overcome.
"The great thing is Army ROTC is that the leadership program helps you to navigate some of those challenges as you try to pursue entry into the Army ROTC program," said Nguyen. "If you are not where you want to be physically, Army ROTC helps get you there.”
“It gave me a lot more motivation as a college student because you are around people who are pushing to be better and better themselves,” said Abke.
People like Maggie Fliszar, a fellow cadet who said joining the program exposed her to unlimited opportunities.
"If your interest is art, the Army has graphic designers. If you want to be a journalist, the Army has journalists. If you want to be a lawyer like me, the Army has lawyers,” said Fliszar.
But even with all that opportunity, Alyssa and Maggie are in a growing minority of young adults.
According to a recent report from CNBC, the U.S. Army missed its 2022 recruitment goal by 15,000 soldiers, or 25%. It also cut its projected size of the overall force for the year by 10,000.
“It is a little bit disheartening. [The Army] has a lot of options, it doesn't necessarily mean the guns you see in the movies. There is a place for everyone," said Abke.
The report cited a tight job market that's impacting all industries as a partial explanation for the decline in recruitment but also pointed to other factors unique to a younger generation, things like obesity, mental health issues, drug use, or a criminal record.
But for students interested in the ROTC program, Professor of Military Science Lieutenant Colonel John Nguyen says these reasons can be overcome.
"The great thing is Army ROTC is that the leadership program helps you to navigate some of those challenges as you try to pursue entry into the Army ROTC program," said Nguyen. "If you are not where you want to be physically, Army ROTC helps get you there.”
