ROTC cadets face year of physical challenges
By Lucia Sanchez
Daily Bruin Staff
Fourth-year civil engineering student and UCLA Reserve Officer
Training Corps cadet Larry Leong said he looks forward to the
rigorous outdoor training the corps will offer this year.
"We have a lot of exciting events planned," said Leong, who is
second in command of an 80-person unit that will compete in the
ROTC’s Ranger Challenge Competition.
The competition, which will include a weapons assembly event and
a 10K road march, will not be the only physical exercise corps
members will have to go through.
This year the ROTC offers challenging rock-climbing, white water
rafting and skiing classes, which are open to all UCLA
students.
While white water rafting in Colorado and skiing at Big Bear may
sound like weekend recreational sports, corps members said they
feel they build leadership and teamwork skills.
Whether the cadets enter active duty, or the reserves, the
skills they acquire during their training will help them better
perform their military duties, corps members said.
Mountain climbing will begin at Chatsworth’s Stony Point, and
then advance to Joshua Tree, said Major Skip Davis. "From Joshua
Tree National Park we’ll probably end up at Mount Shasta," he
added.
Repelling classes remain one of the more exciting classes
offered by the ROTC. Cadets not only learn how to repel but may be
involved in exciting events such as repelling off of Westwood Mann
theater, which cadets did last year.
In addition to physically exerting classes, the ROTC curriculum
also offers classes in military history, leadership and project
management.
"You can’t get those classes anywhere else on this campus," said
Davis, adding that student participation is not only highly
encouraged but an integral part of the classes.
While Leong has given up his social life and sometimes feels the
pressure of being in the the corps, he said he likes the
challenge.
"Being an engineer student and ROTC cadet, there’s a lot of time
sacrifices," admitted Leong as he reflected on his ROTC career.
"But it’s worth it."