ROTC A Program that All Colleges Should Have?

By: Ryan Dettmann

Though colleges campus are sometimes one of the most liberal places in societies, some have Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) programs. But with the Increasing debt and more people worrying about the finances, it makes ROTC programs more appealing to those with tight budgets, so should most colleges if not all colleges have an ROTC program. These programs not only help our national security, but provide those with limited access to higher education.

In the recent couple of years, ROTC enrollment has risen significantly. The Navy Program is one of the programs that have seen this with an increase of enrollment of 17 percent. The Army has seen an increase of over 2,000 students and 1,000 for the Air Force compared to last years enrollments. There has also been an increase in the applications to military academies. With the increase in enrollment it makes it interesting why some colleges do not have an ROTC program. The debate on campuses on whether to have ROTC program is prevalent throughout the nation like Columbia University which was softly criticized by both Senator McCain and President Obama, who thought any college without an opportunity to join the military is a mistake. This debate is prevalent on several college campuses, Harvard was one of these colleges, until they decided to have their ROTC program but have it off their campus. But the need for colleges to have an ROTC is increasing and each student should have access to join the military while receiving education.

The ROTC program provides education for those who seek to serve the military while receiving higher education, but it also provides education to those who do not normally have such an opportunity. The need for colleges to provide ROTC and has been supported by both McCain and Obama.