2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at NC State, a program sponsored by the U.S. military that trains students to become officers in the line of duty. The anniversary was kicked off on Friday with an Army ROTC ceremonial wreath-laying that honored the cadets’ sacrifice and commitment.
The ceremony began with a prayer that honored all of the fallen veterans of the NC State ROTC program.
As the wreath was laid at the foot of the Belltower, a monument built to honor NC State alumni who lost their lives in WWI, a moment of silence was taken to honor the fallen.
Cadet Command Sgt. Maj. Kylie Piper, a senior studying environmental sciences, was one of those who laid the wreath.
“Both of my parents were enlisted in the army, and I was in love with the life,” Piper said when asked why she joined ROTC. “It was everything I’d known. I love the idea of serving my country. We’re all very strong for [ROTC].”
The Army ROTC program at NC State has over 2,500 graduates, including 24 brigadier generals. Graduates have also become leaders in the public sector, CEOs and elected officials, and many are still active service members.
A speech was given after the wreath was laid by U.S. Army Lt. Col. Timothy Hudson in which he quoted former United States President Ronald Reagan.
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction,” Hudson said. “It must be fought for, protected and handed on for [our children] to do the same.”
This dedication was echoed by cadet Pvt. Matthew Joyner, a freshman studying accounting.
“I wanted to do something in service to others since I was little, whether that [is] being a firefighter [or] a police officer,” Joyner said. “The greatest use of my talents in leadership and ability would be to join the military.”
The ceremony culminated with five cadets taking the oath of office for a commissioned officer, promising to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
The celebration continued to Saturday’s football game, which was Military Appreciation Day at Carter-Finley Stadium.
The football team wore camouflage jerseys during the game to honor those men and women who are serving in the military or who have previously served.
Throughout the game, NC State alumni who had previously served in the military were brought onto the field to be honored for their service.
An enormous American flag was then unfurled by ROTC members and veterans to the sound of bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace.”
This sense of community and unity that the American flag represents was repeated by Piper. When asked what her favorite thing about ROTC was, she said that it was “the family.”
“I came from out of state not knowing anyone, and you get to know these people so well,” Piper said. “You can really depend on them.”
Joyner likewise conveyed the togetherness of ROTC.
“What I’m most looking forward to in the military is the sense of camaraderie within the ranks,” Joyner said. “Even in ROTC you can feel it with people who aren’t even contracted yet. You can feel that they want to be here.”
