As a high school student, Cadet Col. Garrett Kohl was introverted and rarely willing to accept big challenges.

Now Kohl, an Olathe senior who joined Air Force ROTC before his freshman year at the University of Kansas, is commander of the 280th Cadet Wing.

“With ROTC, I have been forced into situations where I am given responsibilities that affect our entire detachment,” Kohl said. “At this point, the pressure of being in charge isn’t that big of a deal, although I am always learning how to improve my leadership.”

Capt. Thomas Arnold, the commanding officer of the KU Navy ROTC oversees both the Nay and Marine programs. He said ROTC contributes to the unique atmosphere of the campus.

“It brings strength to the diversity of KU,” Arnold said. “They’re respected for their decision to serve in the military when they graduate.”

As part of ROTC, cadets and midshipmen contribute to charitable organizations, represent the University at national ROTC functions and organize ceremonies for holidays and events.

“Cadets in ROTC are a cross-section of KU students and represent a variety of opinions, majors, backgrounds and goals,” Kohl said.

Although friendly competition exists between the different branches of the ROTC, Arnold stressed the importance of each branch working together.

“The military today operates jointly in almost everything we do,” Arnold said. “That’s what we try to do here.”

Although they don’t always know each other personally, Kohl said, students in ROTC recognized that all cadets and midshipmen chose to serve their country. However, a great deal of friendship exists between members of the same branch.

“[Members of the Air Force ROTC] all go through the same training year after year together,” Kohl said. “You can’t help but feel camaraderie for someone who has been through it with you. Most of us are friends outside ROTC.”

Cadets and midshipmen involved in ROTC sacrifice much of their free time to the program. In addition to a heavier course load, members of the Navy and Air Force ROTC have early-morning physical training two days a week and members of the Army ROTC train three days a week.

Amy Hensen, a freshman cadet from Lee Summit, Mo., said physical training was the most difficult part for her.

“I have to get up at 5 a.m. twice a week, and we usually run at least two or three miles and do pushups and sit-ups,” Hensen said.

For Kohl, time management poses the biggest problem.

“Not only do (cadets) have to do school work and have a job, but they’re doing stuff for ROTC on top of all that and at odd hours in the day,” Kohl said.

Because of this extra workload and their commitment to public service, Maj. Ted Culbertson, the admissions and scholarship officer for the Army ROTC, said he greatly admired students’ decision to join the program.

“It takes a special person,” Culbertson said. “Not only are they getting a bachelor’s degree, but we’re throwing an additional 16 credit hours at (cadets in Army ROTC). They’re doing physical training at 5 in the morning three times a week and leadership labs in the afternoon on Thursdays.”

Accountability and responsibility also are major themes of ROTC. As seniors in high school, members of ROTC are asked to make a decision about their plans for the next seven to twelve years. They are required to serve in the military for varying lengths of time after they graduate. Arnold said the military required someone who has “long-range visions and goals of what they want in their lives.”

When a high school student is thinking about joining an ROTC program, Culbertson said parents always asked the tough questions about whether their sons and daughters would be sent to Iraq or Afghanistan.

“Our answer is we don’t know,” Culbertson said. “It’s a likely possibility. They definitely have my respect.”

Despite the risks, Kellen Arpke was eager to join Navy ROTC.

“My grandfather was in the Air Force, and I’ve always liked the military,” the Salina freshman said. “It’s a really good job straight out of college guaranteed. Besides, I had one guy come up and say, ‘Thank you for serving,’ which makes me feel really good.”

Cadets and midshipmen in the ROTC program wear their uniforms once a week in conjunction with their leadership labs; members of the Air Force ROTC wear theirs on Tuesday, the Navy on Wednesday, and the Army on Thursday. They also wear them anytime they have a special event and when they are taking down or putting up the flags.

Although Cassie Fago, Lincoln, Neb., sophomore, said students showed respect for members of the ROTC when in uniform, “a lot of people don’t realize what these students are getting themselves into.”

Fago’s boyfriend, Lance Cpl. Jake Johnson, is serving in Iraq with the Marine Corps.

“I think the ROTC is a great thing because not only are (they) trained to be a part of the military, but they’re also able to attend college and get their education,” Fago said.

Members of the ROTC also are held to a higher standard than regular students. Culbertson said military officers set the bar so students faced stricter punishments for violations such as drug use and underage drinking. Depending on the specific circumstances, a violation may result in expulsion from ROTC.

Illustrating the idea that officers should be held to a higher standard, Kohl said integrity was the underlying principle in the military.

“People have to be able to trust the military and those in it,” Kohl said. “(Integrity) is a hard but rewarding ideal to live by.”

As for his personal experience, Kohl said Air Force ROTC had made a huge impact on his life. He is proud of his decision to join and is pleased with the occasional “thank you” he receives when in uniform.

“Cadets care enough that they want to join the military and serve their country,” Kohl said. “KU culture is ingrained in the cadets, and when we go to our assignments, we bring a lot of what we experienced at KU with us.”

— Edited by Amelia Freidline