ATLANTA, Georgia (Jan. 27, 2014) -- U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadet Malayna Taylor always knew she wanted to be part of a team that would help her grow and make her stronger, and now she is living that dream.
Taylor has uncles who served in the Army so she decided to join her high school's Junior ROTC program to see what the Army was all about.
"JROTC really gave me the opportunity to see what goes on in the Army and what they have to offer," said Taylor.
While in the program she met Michael Perez, a fellow JROTC student who had a passion for the Army, driven by his father's Army service of 30 years and his brother's current service as a first lieutenant.
Both Taylor and Perez held leadership positions in their JROTC program and because they liked what the Army had to offer, and they both decided to join Georgia State University's Army ROTC program after graduating from high school.
Currently freshmen in college, Perez couldn't have been happier that Taylor joined the ROTC program.
"I think everybody needs that one person that is there for them, who backs them up for things," Perez said.
Taylor and Perez are part of an 84 person ROTC unit at GSU, led by Lieutenant Colonel William Brooks.
"The training opportunities here at Army ROTC are broad and awesome," said Lt. Col. Brooks.
The purpose of Army ROTC is to select, train and commission college students to be officers and leaders of character in the U.S. Army.
Three days out of the week students start their day with early morning physical training which consists of conditioning and movement drills. After that, cadets begin their regular college routine of attending classes with their fellow students at the university. Twice a week, they attend ROTC classes where they learn about military skills such as map reading and land navigation. In addition, they are being taught how to be good leaders in different situations and how to set and achieve goals.
"To survive the program, you need people who are physically and mentally tough," Brooks said. "By design, Army ROTC is not an easy program."
Being accepted into the program isn't easy either. ROTC requires a minimum 2.5 grade point average, and potential Cadets have to be physically fit, which is determined by the Army Physical Fitness Test that includes push-ups, sit-ups and a two-mile run.
Once you're in though, the camaraderie and mentorship these cadets provide to each other is what makes them better, and the education will make them mentally stronger.
"The Army isn't about individuals, it's always about a team," Taylor said. "We have to learn to work together and depend on each other because we work together to build ourselves up and keep ourselves motivated. The cadets beside me are here to help me improve, and I'm here to help them. We all get better together."
Throughout their time in ROTC, cadets have opportunities to attend Air Assault School, Sapper Course and Combat Diving School, among others. There is also the Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency program where cadets go for cultural and language emersion and service projects. This past summer, Army ROTC sent 3,000 cadets to 80 different countries.
There are also financial benefits to assist cadets with the rising costs of college tuition. Through Army ROTC, cadets have an opportunity to have their tuition paid in full and also receive $1,200 a year for books and a $300-$500 monthly spending stipend.
On top of the education and financial benefits, Taylor is also proud to be in the Army ROTC for the lifelong friendships and the skills they learn to make them better Soldiers and leaders.
"Years from now I still see myself in the Army, and I plan on making this a career," Taylor said. "Basically I love the Army and the things they have to offer, and I feel like this is the best opportunity I could ever have."
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