Editor's Note: This story is the second in a four-part series examining the military at Ohio University.
An Ohio University sophomore awoke last Wednesday morning, donned her Army fatigues and marched to physical training. It was just the beginning of her long day as a Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet.
She ended her day meeting a good friend for coffee. The topic of conversation was not about the morning workout or their military science homework - the women were chatting about their sorority's upcoming social event that weekend.
I'm not the typical Air Force ROTC girl or the typical sorority girl. There's always a happy medium
said Emily McDonald, a freshman Air Force ROTC cadet and active member of Delta Zeta Sorority.
Students are not the only ones to reach that happy medium.
Army ROTC freshman instructor Major Ron Carroll graduated from OU in 1986 and was active in both Army ROTC andPhi Kappa Tau Fraternity.
Both ROTC and greek life are organizations that have a strong foundation in camaraderie Carroll said.
It's important to explore other areas of interest out of ROTC Carroll said. I encourage them to make friends outside ROTC.
McDonald said that participating in both Air Force ROTC and greek life is beneficial; she values the bond that she shares with her sorority sisters and views both as important parts of college.
I enjoy new experiences and meeting new people. I try not to fall into the whole stereotype thing
McDonald said. She's not the only Air Force ROTC cadet with a foot in greek life.
Tiffany Ogden is a sophomore who, like McDonald, is active in both Air Force ROTC and Delta Zeta. She joined ROTC in Spring Quarter 2009 and rushed Delta Zeta during Fall Quarter.
When you first come to college
everyone wants to fit in and to find something they're good at. I found that with so much discipline in Air Force ROTC
it is good to get out and make friends
and get out of that structure
Ogden said.
From cadet life to chapter meetings
The amount of time cadets devote to ROTC is substantial. Along with required courses, cadets have three mandatory physical training sessions a week, field training exercises, two social functions and a monthly lab.
Air Force ROTC offers three kinds of scholarships that vary from covering tuition and books to matching in-state costs for out-of-state cadets. When a cadet accepts the scholarship, he or she also signs a contract committing to at least five years of service in the Air Force. The contract is honored as long as the cadet maintains his or her grade point average and passes all necessary medical exams.
Greek life is also a time commitment, with chapter meetings and philanthropy work as well as social functions.
More than 11 percent of students participate in the 32 greek letter organizations offered at OU. At 2.92, greek students' grade point averages slightly exceed the university's 2.91 average, according to OU's Campus Life Web site.
It's a lot of time management
McDonald said. Both take up a lot of time. (But) I feel it's worth it.
Creating camaraderie
Junior Jon Stephanchick founded the OU chapter of Omega Delta Sigma, a national veterans' fraternity, Fall Quarter. Omega Delta Sigma consists of both student veterans and ROTC cadets.
Stephanchick saw a need for Omega Delta Sigma at OU; as a former member of an on-campus fraternity, he said that he wants to maintain the bond between those who serve in the armed forces.
After graduation, there are options for cadets who wish to preserve the bond from ROTC. There are officer clubs stationed at many bases and posts across the country, and ROTC detachments have reunions. Similarly, the letters in greek life do not have an expiration date.
I just really feel it's important to connect to others
McDonald said. It's the bond we have with others that keeps things together.
