UAA’s Army ROTC program

UAA’s Army Reserves Officer Training Corps, or Army ROTC, began its college program in partnership with UAF in 2009. UAA’s unit of Cadre and Cadets is commonly known as the Seawolf. 

The ROTC trains cadets to become commissioned officers by providing them with field experience and classes to further their knowledge of the military. After the third year, Cadets will often be sent to Advanced Camp, where they focus on leadership, tactical and specialized military courses. 

Members of the Anchorage and Fairbanks unit spoke with The Northern Light to share their experience and the importance of the program. 

Cadet Maila Laranjo said they often do field training exercises to learn and train for their role. “The exercise is meant to help them with shared understanding as well as working together as a platoon.” 

Cadet Jeremy Reeves is an MS IV from Fairbanks and a cadet who has gone to advanced camp. He said that the program gives him the opportunity to get his bachelor’s degree before becoming an Army commissioned Officer.

Cadet Zachary Hoffie explained that the MS IV’s communication skills worked well together because of their prior service experience. They carry those skills to interactions with newer Cadets, holding one another accountable and focusing on parity between the two programs. 

For those who are interested in joining the program but are hesitant to take the first step, Reeves emphasized Cadet Nathaniel Palacios’s tenacity as an example for opportunities the program provides. 

Palacios, who is deaf, cannot join the army because of an inability to meet the military’s physical and hearing requirements. He continues to participate because he enjoys the training and connection that the ROTC program provides.

For further information about the Army ROTC programs at UAA and UAF, visit the UAA Army ROTC website or the UAF ROTC website.