By COLBY BERMEL

The Principia Pilot

November 2012

 

For the first time in recent memory at Principia College, a student is participating in an Army ROTC program.

 

Freshman Matts Wilcoxen started in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Reserve Officer Training Corps this fall and will be continuing in the program for the next four years, graduating as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

 

"ROTC was a big factor in my college decision," he said. "I wasn't considering Prin until I realized that the College was willing to work with me to allow me to participate in SIUE's program."

 

Working with school officials, his admissions counselor and his adviser, Wilcoxen has been able to take the ROTC military science courses at SIUE. While not receiving Principia credit for them at the moment, he hopes to work with the faculty and administration to obtain said credit.

 

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, Wilcoxen wakes up at 4:30 in the morning to do physical training (PT) with his battalion on the Edwardsville campus. On Thursday mornings after PT, he travels to Principia to take his 8 a.m. Politics Among Nations course, only to return to SIUE for the rest of the day to take Military Science 101, along with a lab course that involves practical soldering skills, first aid and small unit tactics.

 

"I've gained so much so far," he said. "The value of the different skills and lessons I'm learning far outweigh the challenges of doing the program."

 

On the weekend beginning Sept. 21, Wilcoxen took part in a three-day field training exercise at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. During the exercise, he had the opportunities to learn day and night land navigation skills, along with completing confidence courses and many other activities. Wilcoxen said that one of the highlights was flying to Fort Leonard Wood from SIUE in a Chinook helicopter with his fellow cadets.

 

After Wilcoxen graduates, he will be required to serve four years on active duty and four years in the reserve, though he may choose to extend his active duty commitment. He is considering branch infantry – leading infantrymen – after he graduates.

 

"The opportunity to lead soldiers into battle is not only a great responsibility, but also a tremendous honor," he said. "I'd suggest it's one of the most important jobs in the world."

 

College students around the country can join an ROTC program, including SIUE's, until their junior year. "I sure wouldn't mind having some company driving to SIUE early in the morning," Wilcoxen added with a laugh.