Kansas State University Army ROTC Wildcat Battalion hosts cadets from all services at JROTC Day

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Written by: LTC (Ret.) Richard R. Hodgson

MANHATTAN, KS — Seventy-four JROTC Cadets from nine schools around the state traveled to Manhattan, Kansas to attend a JROTC Day hosted by Kansas State University’s Army ROTC program, The Wildcat Battalion, to learn about opportunities in both Army ROTC and at Kansas State.   High Schools attending were Junction City, Topeka West, Wichita North, Wichita Northwest, Wichita South, Wichita Southeast, Wichita Northeast Magnet, Wichita East and Wichita Heights.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Bradley Roush, Professor of Military Science at Kansas State, the intent of the event was to conduct an informational brief and tour of Kansas State University as a school and as an Army ROTC Battalion to better familiarize JROTC cadets to our programs for possible future enrollment.

“The Wildcat Battalion has about 70 cadets enrolled and on average commissions about 15 officers into the Army each year”, Roush said.

The University’s Admissions staff presented a great briefing about opportunities and college life at Kansas State.  The University has some impressive statistics;

                – a 19,000 student population
                – a 22-26 to one faculty to student ratio
                – more than 250 majors offered
                – more than 400 clubs and activities on campus
                – opportunities for undergraduate research, education abroad and university honors programs
                – A 97% job or continuing education placement rate for graduates

The JROTC Cadets were then grouped by intended college majors and led on a campus tour by Wildcat Battalion MS II and MS III cadets who talked to them about all of the things they can do as college students and ROTC cadets.  Cadets toured several academic buildings and libraries and were also treated to demonstrations by the Wildcat Battalion’s Pershing Rifles drill team, Ranger Challenge team and Recondo club.  

All of the JROTC cadets enjoyed the day and left with a better understanding of what college and ROTC could do for them in a few years.  The Kansas State ROTC staff enjoyed it as well.  “We had gotten out of doing these events the past few years due to COVID and other things”, said Major Ryan Slagle, Assistant Professor of Military Science and the primary action officer for the event.  “This went well, and we look forward to getting back to doing these yearly,” said Slagle.