More students join OSU Army, Air Force units; university's Navy numbers are down

About 300 ROTC cadets paraded across the Memorial Union Quad to the sound of patriotic music during Oregon State University's annual Joint Service Review on Friday.

Guest speaker Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, U.S. Army Chief of Engineers and commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, called the cadets "incredible people" for signing up to serve their country during a time of war.

And despite five years of combat in Iraq and seven years of fighting in Afghanistan, more cadets are joining the Army and Air Force ROTC units at OSU.

"It seems a bit counterintuitive. … Looking at the next school year, we expect that to continue," said Lt. Col. Mike Daniels, commanding officer of the OSU Army ROTC.

Daniels didn't know the reason for the change, but in the last two years his unit has gone from 88 cadets to 110.

The OSU Air Force ROTC has jumped 12 percent to 75 students this year, and 2nd Lt. Brenden McClean, the unit admissions officer, credited that mainly to better recruiting and marketing.

Army Cadet Scott Peterson, a senior from Bend, hopes to go into active duty after graduating from OSU this June. He knows Uncle Sam could send him to a war zone.

"It's a possibility for any of the cadets. It's not something I dread," Peterson said. "I kind of look forward to it, just because of the experience."

Peterson gets a scholarship for tuition and fees and books, and also a $500 per month stipend through the Army ROTC. But he said he committed to the service because he liked the opportunities it provided for his future.

"You definitely get a lot of skills you wouldn't get if you weren't in a program like this," said Caleb Barker, a junior from McMinnville, and an Air Force cadet.

He said he's become more of a leader, can work with others better, and organizes his time effectively - his grades actually increased despite fewer hours for leisure - because of ROTC. He hopes to become a pilot after graduation.

While the Army and Air Force units have seen their numbers increase, the Naval ROTC, which includes Navy and Marines cadets, has dropped from 120 students to 97 in the last three years, said Navy Sr. Chief Tim Hagey.

"We look at it and wonder why we aren't getting more." He said the figures often fluctuate, however.

About 200 people watched the Joint Service Review, including Anna Verdieck of Troutdale, who came to support her daughter Kandace Smith, a freshman cadet with the Air Force ROTC.

After some misgivings, Verdieck is proud her daughter wants to join the military.

"At first I was a little hesitant with the war going on and all that stuff, but I know there are people just born to help their country and serve," Verdieck said.

The Joint Service Review wasn't the only big event of the weekend for Verdieck. Like several other women in attendance, she was on campus to enjoy Mom's Weekend at OSU.

"It's just a fun time for us to do some bonding," Verdieck said.