By Anne Hall
Staff Writer
“We coach, teach and mentor cadets to become positive leaders and members of society.”
-Captain Gino Orezzoli
Reserve Officers Training Course is a college program offered on campus focused on preparing young adults to become productive members of society and potential active duty military personnel.
Captain Orezzoli is one of three supervisors who oversee the program. Accompanying him are Sergeant First Class Angel Martinez and Lieutenant John Hibbert. These individuals are active duty military members assigned to three years residence for the CSUSM program.
Orezzoli states the mission of ROTC, as a course study, is to focus on “the growing individual,” the college student.
There are currently 35 students enrolled in ROTC. Requirements for joining the program come in three parts.
Part one, being the first two years in the program, intends for the student to gain experience and military insight. Deciding if it’s for you is the main consideration for becoming a cadet—part two.
If one chooses to participate as a cadet all that is required is to register for the course on campus. The course fulfills political science requirements. Physical training and lab work are not included but the course work is credited. Enrolled students become contracted cadets. From here, students move toward part three: deciding to pursue a career in military service and become a contracted member which could potentially continue on to become active duty or reserve.
Even when contracted, there is no guarantee that participants will be selected to serve in the armed forces. By the student’s junior year they are either contracted or not. Participating students can be enrolled and contracted as officers with ambitions of becoming contracted for military service.
As a member of ROTC, students are given a four-year graduation plan. Education comes before all else.
“Students come first,” said Captain Orezzoli.
Cadets are involved in the community and provide their services helping the homeless, reading to students, assisting in other ROTC programs in elementary and high school grade levels, as well as carrying out duties in color guard and participating in various other events.
Equal Opportunity and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response programs are taught quarterly through this course as well as the Army’s standards of fitness. To enroll students can apply through the campus Veterans Center. Applications are processed through Vicky Hernandez and submitted to San Diego State University’s Aztec Battalion.
The program also upholds a strong relationship with the campus Athletic Department, Pride Center, Gender Equity Center and the Veterans Service Center. For more information visit the campus Veterans Service Center in Craven Hall 3724.