Students behind the uniforms

Were you out killing people tonight?"\nThat's what someone asked sophomore Stephan Jerabek, a Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet, when he returned to his dorm room in uniform on a recent Friday night.\nWhile his floormate probably meant the remark as a joke, it reflects a widespread misunderstanding.\nAs anti-war feelings grow on campus, some students are unfairly associating the military -- and specifically ROTC cadets -- with pro-war sentiments.\nThe cadets are hard to miss on campus when they wear their military uniforms Thursdays, and when some people see the uniform, they see a stereotype.\nFor the cadets, it's an experience similar to what other minorities face on campus, said Lt. Col. Wayne Pollard, a professor of military science.\nWhile cadets say signs of appreciation have been common, they have also experienced hostilities in recent weeks. As one cadet walked to class, someone muttered "baby killer." Another found "neo-Nazi" written on a dry erase board outside his dorm room.\nCadets don't take different classes or get yelled at and do push-ups all day, as some students assume.\n"This isn't some little militia group on campus that happens to be taking classes," Pollard said. "These are Indiana University students."\nThey are here to learn and to become well-rounded members of the military, Pollard said. Many cadets participate in the debate about a war in Iraq, falling on all sides of the issue. And they're quick to point out that one of their main duties is to protect citizens' right to protest issues like a potential war in Iraq.\nThe cadets are preparing to join a volunteer army charged with defending the Constitution and obeying the President, and students should remember policy decisions are separate from the military, said Cpt. Heath Dunbar, an ROTC recruiter.\nAs many soldiers oppose the war as support it, but they have decided to be apolitical and carry-out the policies of civilian voters, Dunbar said.\nAnd while there doesn't seem to be a deep-seeded resentment for ROTC on campus, students sometimes don't appreciate its diversity.\n"People who stress diversity sometimes become narrow-minded," Pollard said. "They should recognize us as serving our country, protecting our freedoms."\nThey also might not realize IU's military heritage.\n"We should be as proud of that as we are the Kinsey Institute or the basketball team," Pollard said.\nEvidence of that heritage can be found all over campus, at Memorial Stadium and the Indiana Memorial Union.\nLast week at the Union, Second Lt. Casey Dean, who graduated last year, was giving a tour when he was stopped by a man who was waxing a floor in the Memorial Room.\n"Thank you," the man said after stopping his work and standing up. "I'll pray for you on Sunday."\nDean said he has never felt uncomfortable in uniform on campus, but a little appreciation goes a long way.