Leaving A Legacy

I must apologize up-front for the following blog. It is a rant, and I have no intention of dressing it up. As someone who has invested hundreds of hours into developing and building ISU's ROTC program, I have a certain level of attachment with its success. I would like to see the program continue to improve from year to year. Nothing would make me happier than to see the next class take what we did and make it that much better. Running the program as MS IV's is not a competition with the previous years. Instead, you are competing against yourself to make the next group as strong as they can be. That is the whole point of an ROTC battalion. Our mission is to train and recruit Army Officers. Everything we do should be based on accomplishing the mission put before us. As seniors it is our job to do everything we can to help out the underclassmen. This pertains to training, operations, and administrative matters. As trainers it is our responsibility to prepare stimulating and challenging training opportunities. This doesn't happen when people don't show up, complete their responsibilities, and simply don't care for others. There is no room for leaders to be selfish. This is a dangerous attitude for people who will be looking out for others for years to come. Remember this when it comes your turn to lead. Remember when you were coming into the program. Think about what you could not stand and what your concerns were. By taking care of the younger cadets, you are leaving a legacy. Take pride in what you are doing, and leave the program better than when you entered it.