Open the doors to ROTC

There are very few issues with which Republicans and Democrats can agree.
But even Barack Obama and John McCain both agree that ROTC programs should be allowed on all university campuses. Regardless of your stance on military policy, one should acknowledge that these programs not only help college students pay for their education, but also create opportunities for them to grow into future leaders and potential problem solvers.

Around the time of the Vietnam War, many universities banned ROTC programs to make a political statement out of rising anti-war sentiment. While we agree private universities have the right to do so, we also agree that taking away the choice for students won’t help them. The university should enhance the skills necessary for critical analysis and sound judgment for students to make decisions – regarding policy for example – rather than impose or indoctrinate its views upon students.

At the same time, it is insulting to all students. The university implies with their decision that we as college students cannot make decisions for ourselves. How can universities expect us to be better leaders for tomorrow if we are not allowed to make our own decisions today, especially such an impacting, life-changing decision to join the military?
Banning ROTC programs on university campuses begs the question: Is the university really doing students any favors by keeping them off? It is not. We think, as Obama, McCain, plenty of Republicans and plenty of Democrats would agree, banning the ROTC program on college campuses is not the best way to go.