UTRGV cadets’ journey in the ROTC

Paulina Longoria | THE RIDER

Students in three different majors are obtaining skills in the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps at UTRGV that they hope will make them future leaders.

Eighty cadets are in the program that offers leadership and military skills.

Master Sgt. Jose Treviño, a senior military science instructor, explained the benefits that ROTC cadets may receive as part of the program. 

“Some of the benefits that we give them … not only the experience and the leadership that they learn, to me that’s a big benefit that they receive, but also … they can receive a scholarship per semester and also a monthly stipend,” Treviño said. “They can also qualify for grants that the ROTC program has, given the availability of funds.”

Jacob Garcia, an anthropology senior and Military Science Level 4 cadet, will be commissioned as a second lieutenant, an entry-level rank for most commissioned officers, in Spring 2021. He said he has more leadership responsibilities during this year in the ROTC program.

The U.S. Army website states that “Direct Commission allows leaders in professional fields to become Army Officers immediately. Typically, a direct commission is given if you have an undergraduate degree, as well as expertise and special skills the Army needs at that time.”

Garcia told The Rider how being in the Army ROTC has impacted his life.

“The ROTC really [has] pushed me to take more decisions on my own and not really doubt what I do,” he said. “One of the things they do teach us is to make a decision even though you’re right or wrong because making decisions is, at least, you did something. … Having initiative in life can open many doors because they see that you actually are a leader.”

Garcia also said the ROTC teaches cadets communication and teamwork skills. He said he would like to serve in a U.S. Army Reserve near a Native American reservation or archeological site.

Marco Castillo, a Spanish junior and Military Science Level 3 cadet, said he receives all kinds of training in the ROTC, but mostly in leadership skills.

“These courses are oriented towards leadership,” Castillo said. “Our professor of military science, which is the colonel, the highest rank in the whole organization, he always remarks that whether you’re gonna commission as an officer or not, whether you stay in the Army or not, you can keep these skills for your life, for your civilian life.”

He said the ROTC classes teach him soldier and civilian life skills.

“They also teach us skills, like soldier skills, land navigation. … We do physical training,” Castillo said. “They [teach] us how to shoot, how to use a rifle … but if we want to talk about civilian skills … besides leadership, they teach you how to be patient. 

“They teach you how to follow because not all the times you’re gonna be leading. Some other times you’re gonna be a follower. You need to know how to take an order, interpret the order and then act upon that order. They also teach us how to get up from mistakes … how to get up and just learn from it. They teach us how to get feedback.”

He has not contracted with the Army ROTC yet. Castillo plans to serve on reserve duty and pursue a master’s degree in Spanish with a concentration in linguistics at UTRGV after earning his bachelor’s in Spring 2022.

Treviño explained the process of contracting with the Army ROTC.

“When you contract with the ROTC program, you’re contracting saying that once you … earn your degree and you finish [the] ROTC program, you’re gonna come back in the Army as [an] officer,” he said.

He also said cadets are not required to contract until their junior year, when they reach Military Science Level 3.

Maria Martinez, a psychology senior and Military Science Level 4 cadet, coordinates and approves the physical training plans to meet the standards for the Army ROTC program at UTRGV.

Before contracting with the ROTC, Martinez enlisted as a soldier in the U.S. Army in 2015 and reached the rank of sergeant. She is now a platoon leader in the U.S. Army Reserve 961st Quartermaster Company unit in McAllen.

Asked how being a sergeant, and later a cadet, impacted her life, she replied, “Greatly … mentally and 

physically. Staying in shape is one of the big ones. We all have to stay up to physical standards. That’s something that I’m always working on to improve on. Mentally … I used to attend many trainings, so I was away from home for a lot of events. … So that’s kind of one of the things that I had to learn.”

She also said the U.S. Army Best Warrior Competition impacted her life. Martinez attended yearly from 2017 until 2019 when she was enlisted.

“It challenged me in every way,” she said. “That’s when I was able to reflect and learn more of myself, and actually show myself of what I’m capable of doing.” 

The competition recognizes soldiers “who demonstrate commitment to the Army values, embody the Warrior Ethos, and represent the Force of the Future,” according to its website.

Martinez plans to become a military intelligence officer in the future.

Treviño encourages students interested in the program to email ROTC@utrgv.edu or call 665-3601.

“The program’s here, and we can offer a lot of things as long as you just come and talk to us,” he said.