Seniors in ROTC look ahead
By MATT BRAMANTI
News Writer
Notre Dame ROTC seniors who will graduate next month will serve their country in a broad variety of missions. Upon graduation, the cadets and midshipmen will be commissioned officers and will report to duties across the country
Lt. Cmdr. Dan Walsh, an instructor in the Naval ROTC program, said the 29 seniors under his watch will include pilots, nuclear specialists, dive experts and submarine officers. Eight graduating seniors will head to Pensacola, Fla. to receive flight training as pilots and naval flight officers or navigators.
Two midshipmen will attend the Navy Dive School in Panama City, Fla. to receive training in explosive ordinance demolition. This program, under the auspices of the Navy's Special Warfare unit, offers training similar to that undertaken by Navy SEALs — the elite "Sea, Air, Land" personnel. One senior will serve in Washington, D.C. in an administrative role for the Navy's nuclear program.
"It's an elite assignment," Walsh said.
The 17 seniors in the Army ROTC battalion will likewise undertake a wide range of duties, said Col. David Mosinski, professor of military science. The students will serve as second lieutenants in such diverse areas as military intelligence, aviation, and engineering. Mosinski said the demand for the various branches is similar to that in the past.
"I don't think the war in Iraq or the war on terrorism have changed the cadets' desired branches," he said.
Mosinski said that Notre Dame cadets have historically been well received by the Army. "Over the last two years, everyone from Notre Dame has received either their first or second choice in branches," Mosinski said.
He credits this to the strength of Notre Dame's ROTC program, saying, "Our battalion produces a pretty high quality cadet."
Cadets and midshipmen who receive scholarships must commit to a term of service in the military, generally ranging from 4 to 8 years, depending on the student's specialized training. Several students received educational deferments, allowing them to postpone service while they go to law school medical school or other graduate programs.
Walsh said his midshipmen are looking forward to their new careers as officers in the Navy.
"This is an interesting time for them. They're going into a different world," he said. "There's a lot of excitement."
Mosinski agreed, touting the benefits of military service.
"It's challenging, but it's very rewarding for [the cadets]," he said.
When asked if any of the cadets get cold feet as graduation nears, Mosinski said they're committed to the program.
"Throughout junior and senior year, they start asking a lot of questions about what they can bring into a unit," he said. He added that the whole cadre helps to address their concerns.
His seniors won't be the only ones dealing with changes. Mosinski, who was recently promoted, has been assigned to the Army's command in Japan. "It'll make an exciting move for my family," he laughed.
All News Stories for Wednesday, May 7, 2003
