ROTC ranks 4th in nationwide program

IU’s ROTC showed a complete about-face from past years when it placed fourth out of more than 272 programs from across the country at this year’s Leadership Development and Assessment Course.\nThe course is a 33-day mental and physical training event at Warrior Forge in Fort Lewis, Washington and is considered to be the most important and potentially most difficult training for an ROTC cadet.\nCadet and senior Nathaniel Tiffany was an enlisted soldier in 2003 before he decided to come to IU. He said he joined the ROTC because he missed the military life. Even after being in the military, Tiffany said Warrior Forge still had plenty to teach him.\n“Since you’re training to be a leader, you always want to put yourself in a leadership position,” Tiffany said. “But to be a good leader, you have to be a good follower. That’s something I improved on at Warrior Forge.”\nMajor Todd Tiniusfrom the Department of Military Science said that before last year, the ROTC at IU was mediocre, always placing in the low-middle range of scores at the Leadership and Development and Assessment Course. He said the cause for this year’s turnaround new leadership in the form of Lt. Col. Eric Arnold.\n“(Arnold) is younger, engaged, enthusiastic and pushes the kids to the limit. If they do well, he’s the first guy to pat them on the back and tell them it’s a great job,” Tinius said.\nWarrior Forge tested cadets’ decision-making, physical stamina and leadership. Aside from grade point average, performance at the course is one of the greatest determining factors in whether a cadet receives the job he wants in the military when he gets out of school. \nArnold doesn’t take all the credit.\n“I set high goals, but still attainable,” Arnold said. “My goal wasn’t to be fourth in the nation. My goal was just to be better. It was a perfect event – I had the right kids. Students who come to Indiana University are definitely a cut above the average.”\nTo help cadets prepare, Arnold installed an extra two weeks of physical training in May as well as tightening discipline and responsibility. Tiffany said Arnold and all of IU’s other professors of military science were always available for help.\n“(The results) actually demonstrate that Arnold was on the right track,” Tinius said.\nWhile only about 23 percent of cadets receive “excellent” ratings nationally, 62 percent of IU cadets earned those scores. Arnold applauded the dedication of his cadets, citing that students usually show up to class even when attendance isn’t graded, and that ROTC depends upon the military ideal of being “in the right place at the right time all the time.”\n“Sometimes groups have a personality,” Tinius said. “This class had a tough one.” \nThough proud of the performance of the cadets, Arnold wants the ROTC to waste no time “resting on its laurels.”\n“Next year?” Tinius asked. “It’s going to be hard, but we’re going to try our best to follow suit.”