End of the Semester cont.

Pass it on

The next major activity related to the ROTC at the end of the semester is the Pass it on event. What this event does is collect food and clothing from college students and gives it to local charities and homeless shelters. Everyone knows how wasteful college students can be. Every year when it comes time to move out, the dumpsters are overflowing with useful items. The program is designed to help cut back on the waste while helping out those struggling in Bloomington-Normal. As noble as this program seems, it is almost impossible to recruit the number of required helpers. As potential volunteers, I urge you to come out and help such a worthwhile cause. It may require some sacrifices at a very difficult time during the year. Just keep in mind the benefits of humanity and how much you will help the program. ROTC has taken responsibility for helping out.

The Commissioning Ceremony

This is the culminating event for ROTC and attending it is very helpful and useful. The event itself can be a little long and drawn out. It also features everyone’s favorite decoration, the flag boxes. If you have been in the program for a semester, you know that the flags being set up means work for you before and after the event. Despite the work, the event can be rewarding for younger cadets. When I was in my II, III, and IV year, I found that the event help put things in perspective. It reminded me that there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I recommend that you show up, support your fellow cadets, and get a better feeling about what you’re doing.