Officers from battalions throughout the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, visited the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, April 25, to brief over 80 cadets from the University's Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program.
"Most of the cadets are right out of high school and have no experience with the Army," said Joseph Maruna, cadet battalion commander, UCCS ROTC.
Maruna, who served in the Army as an enlisted Soldier before being accepted into the Green to Gold Program to commission into the officer corps, said these briefs help cadets decide what branch they want to pursue in their military career.
"Some of the cadets don't even know what their degree path is going to be, so choosing a branch in the Army is a big deal for them," he said. "These briefs are like talking to an academic adviser for their future degree."
For some of the briefers, the nervousness of the cadets choosing a branch was very familiar. Capt. Michael A. Serafini, an armor officer with 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2IBCT, had to make that same decision over nine years ago when he was a cadet at Gonzaga University ROTC.
However, Serafini said his program didn't have briefs that included active-duty service members.
"I think hearing it firsthand from people who have and are doing the job is helpful in making that decision," said Serafini. "It's a very important time in their lives, and I wanted to show them what to expect as an armor officer."
Capt. Berenice R. Harrison, finance officer, 2nd IBCT, said her goal during the brief was to ensure cadets were aware of the different opportunities and programs available for them once they commission.
"The different certificates you earn through schools, specifically in the finance branch, are transferrable in the civilian business sector, and can help not only while in the military but once Soldiers decide to transition out," said Harrison.
The briefing also included officers from signal, field artillery, infantry, engineer, military intelligence, quartermaster, medical services, adjutant general, chemical and air defense artillery branches to advise the cadets.
"Personally these briefs helped me learn more about all the other branches in the Army," said Maruna, who was an enlisted signal Soldier. "I hope at minimum the (cadets) gain an understanding of how each branch fits together and that the Army is one big (collaborative) force."
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