School Update, College Plans, etc.

Gah, I've been sooo busy with school it's not even funny. Seriously, I've been working most of the day on school work for the past week!

Here's how my school schedule goes:

I only have 2 classes right now; English 11 Part 1 and Geometry Part 1. I have until Oct. 9th to complete both of those. Then I'll get English 11 Part 2 and Geometry Part 2; I'll have 3 weeks to complete those. Additionally, I start American History Part 2 after the 9th, but that doesn't have to be completed until the 26th of November.

Why so long for that one but only a few weeks for the other ones?

Well, because Mrs. R, the Online Learning Coordinator (OLC), just got my course schedule made up for the year on Thursday (last week). So I was pretty much on my own, and I had no idea when I was supposed to be finishing up the classes I have now. So, as a result, I found that I was 15 lessons behind...

O.O

Entirely not my fault!

So, I've been working pretty hard since Friday. I've been working on one class each day; trying to get caught up as much as I can. I should be all caught up in a couple days.

Here's the list of classes I'll be taking:

1. English 11 Part 1 and 2
2. Geometry Part 1 and 2
3. American History Part 2
4. Forensics
5. Chemistry
6. Phys. Ed.
7. English 12 Parts 1&2
8. Computer Aided Drawing and Design
9. World History Parts 1&2
10. Earth Science Parts 1&2
11. Business Math Parts 1&2
12 German I Parts 1&2

I choose to take Forensics, CADD, and German :)


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As for college plans...

I'm now thinking about the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AROTC or just ROTC). You go to a normal college/university instead of a Military Institute such as West Point or VMI. The purpose of ROTC is for those who either don't like the life of a Military Academy cadet (i.e. getting yelled at all the time by Drill Sergeants , doing excessive military drill, etc.) or they can't get into an Academy (it's extremely selective).

Army ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) is one of the best leadership courses in the country and is part of your college curriculum. During classes, leadership labs, physical training and field training exercises, you will learn firsthand what it takes to lead others, motivate groups and conduct missions as an Officer in the Army. Upon graduation from Army ROTC, you will earn the bar of a Second Lieutenant and be commissioned into the Active Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard and become a leader for life.

Army ROTC's program includes things such as leadership development, military skills and adventure training. This will take place both in the classroom and in the field, but you will maintain a normal academic schedule like all college students. Depending on when you enroll in Army ROTC, you will undergo most or all of the following courses. And the best part about this leadership development? You will use and benefit from it for years to come.

Army ROTC will give you valuable real-world tools and leadership skills that will benefit not only your professional career but your personal life as well.

Army ROTC is an elective curriculum you take along with your required college classes. It prepares you with the tools, training and experiences that will help you succeed in any competitive environment. Along with great leadership training, Army ROTC can pay for your college tuition, too. You will have a normal college student experience like everyone else on campus, but when you graduate, you will be an Officer in the Army.

Being an Officer in the U.S. Army means you're a leader, a counselor, a strategist and a motivator. It's similar to being a vital manager in a corporation. As an Officer, you will lead other Soldiers in all situations and adjust in environments that are always changing. You'll be driven to achieve success with your team on every mission.

Army ROTC is a one-of-a-kind experience. The challenges you face and the obstacles you'll overcome will prepare you for future success.

Army ROTC is one of the nation's top leadership programs, with many benefits to joining.

Through Army ROTC you can:

• Get help with your college tuition with an Army ROTC scholarship
• Gain experience you can't find anywhere else
• Gain the respect of your peers and future employers
• Train to become a leader and manager

Freshman and Sophomores in ROTC (first and second year of college/uni) take the Basic

The Basic Course takes place during your first two years in college as elective courses. It normally involves one elective class and lab each semester along with the requisite physical training and field training exercises. You will learn basic military skills, the fundamentals of leadership and start the groundwork toward becoming an Army leader. You can take Army ROTC Basic Courses without a military commitment.

FRESHMAN YEAR: PREPARING FOR SUCCESS AS AN ARMY OFFICER

Topics covered include:

• Introduction to Army Leadership
• Army Customs and Traditions
• Military Operations and Tactics
• Goal Setting and Accomplishment
• Health and Physical Fitness

SOPHOMORE YEAR: THE ROLE OF AN OFFICER

Topics covered include:

• Applied Leadership Theory
• Communications
• Principles of War
• Military Operations and Tactics

NOTE: During the first two years, a cadet is NOT under contract with the Army. In other words, there is not service obligation. Once you enter your Junior (third) year, and you still take part in ROTC, then there is a service obligation.


Juniors and Seniors (third and fourth years) in ROTC take the Advanced Course:

The Advanced Course takes place during your last two years in college as elective courses. It normally includes one elective class and lab each semester in addition to the requisite physical training and field training exercises, plus a summer leadership camp. You will learn advanced military tactics and gain experience in team organization, planning and decision-making. To benefit from the leadership training in the Advanced Course, all Cadets must have completed either the Basic Course or have attended the Leader's Training Course. Entering the Advanced Course requires a commitment to serve as an Officer in the U.S. Army after you graduate.

JUNIOR YEAR: LEADING SMALL TACTICAL UNITS

Topics covered include:

• Command and Staff Functions
• Law of War
• Weapons
• Team Dynamics and Peer Leadership
• Military Operations and Tactics

Summer between Junior and Senior year, Cadets participate in the Leader Development & Assessment Course (LDAC).

SENIOR YEAR: TRANSITION TO BECOMING AN OFFICER

Topics covered include:

• Training the Force
• Military Justice
• Ethical Decision Making
• Personnel Management
• Cultural Awareness
• Post and Installation Support
• Military Operations and Tactics

Upon graduation Cadets are commissioned as 2nd. Lieutenants. During Senior year Cadets get to choose a branch of the Army they would like to serve in (there are 17). There is no guarantee that you will be assigned to that branch after graduation (it all depends on your skills, scores, and where they need you). Here are the 17 branches you could be assigned to (the ones in red are the ones I'm kinda interested in; blue is the one I'm mainly interested in.):

Air Defense Artillery Officer The role of an Air Defense Artillery Officer is to be a leader in operations specific to the Air Defense Artillery Branch and to be an expert in the tactics, techniques and procedures for the employment of air defense systems.

Armor Officer Armor Officers are responsible for tank and cavalry/forward reconnaissance operations on the battlefield. The role of an Armor Officer is to be a leader in operations specific to the Armor Branch and to lead others in many areas of combat operations.

Aviation Officer An Officer within the Aviation Branch is first an expert aviator, but is also responsible for the coordination of Aviation operations from maintenance to control tower operations to tactical field missions. From providing quick-strike and long-range target engagement during combat operations to hauling troops and supplies, Army helicopter units play a critical role in getting the job done in many situations.

Engineer Officer An Officer in the Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for providing support in a full spectrum of engineering duties. Engineer Officers help the Army and the Nation in building structures, developing civil works programs, working with natural resources as well as providing combat support on the battlefield.

Field Artillery Officer The Army's Field Artillery Branch is responsible for neutralizing or suppressing the enemy by cannon, rocket and missile fire and to help integrate all fire support assets into combined arms operations. The role of a Field Artillery Officer is to be a leader in operations specific to the Field Artillery Branch and to be an expert in the tactics, techniques and procedures for the employment of fire support systems.

Infantry Officer An Infantry Officer is responsible for leading and controlling the Infantry and combined armed forces during land combat. They are also involved in coordinating employment of Infantry Soldiers at all levels of command, from platoon to battalion and higher, in U.S. and multi-national operations. Officers are leaders, and being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities such as self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence.

Special Forces Officer A Special Forces Officer is responsible for what is typically organized as a 12-man team, known as an Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA). ODAs are deployed around the world in rapid-response situations whether it's during peacetime, crisis or war. The Special Forces Officer is the team leader of an ODA, responsible for mission organization, outfitting the team and debriefing mission objectives.

Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Officer The Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Officer advises the commander on issues regarding nuclear, biological and radiological warfare, defense and homeland protection. Chemical Officers also employ Chemical units in combat support with chemical, smoke and flame weapons, technology and management. Officers are leaders, and being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities such as self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence.

Military Intelligence Officer Military Intelligence (MI) Officers are always out front, providing essential intelligence and in many cases saving Soldiers who are fighting on the front lines. MI Officers assess risks associated with friendly and enemy courses of action and act to counter or neutralize identified intelligence threats. The MI Officer also uses intelligence systems and data to reduce uncertainty of enemy, terrain and weather conditions for a commander.

Military Police Officer Military Police Officers are utilized in direct combat and during peacetime to lead other Military Police Soldiers while they serve five main functions: 1) Maneuver and mobility support operations, 2) Area security operations, 3) Law and order operations, 4) Internment and resettlement operations, and 5) Police intelligence operations

Signal Officer A Signal Corps Officer must be an expert in planning, installing, integrating, operating and maintaining the Army's voice, data and information systems, services and resources. Signal Officers must be highly intelligent, forward-thinking and have a complete knowledge of communications and data management technologies.

Chaplain As a Chaplain Officer, you will lead a Unit Ministry Team (UMT), which consists of you and a trained Chaplain Assistant. As an Army Chaplain you will have the responsibility of caring for the spiritual well-being of Soldiers and their families. Army Chaplains are the spiritual leaders of the Army and they perform religious ceremonies from births and baptisms, to confirmations and marriage, to illness and last rites.

Civil Affairs Officer Civil Affairs Officers are experts in acting as a liaison between the Army and civilian authorities and populations. In many respects, Civil Affairs Officers have to share the same skills as a public relations executive in the civilian world. Civil Affairs Officers many times must facilitate relationships between U.S. military forces and the people of the nation(s) in which those forces are operating.

Dental Corps Officer An Army Dental Corps Officer is responsible for the dental health of Soldiers and their families. They are also responsible for providing health care to Soldiers - families and others eligible to receive this care in the military community. During combat, the Dental Corps Officer assists in the emergency medical management of casualties; identifies casualties through dental records and makes sure Soldiers are combat ready when it comes to their health.

JAG Corps Attorney As an Officer in the JAG Corps and a practicing attorney or judge, your responsibilities will cover a wide-range of practices that includes military law and criminal prosecution to international law and legal assistance - both in the U.S. and abroad. Officers are leaders, and being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities such as self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence.

Medical Corps Officer An Army Medical Corps Officer is responsible for the overall health of Soldiers and their families. From allergists to oncologists to surgeons, Medical Corps Officers are also responsible for providing health care to Soldiers' families and others eligible to receive this care in the military community. During combat, the Medical Corps Officer oversees the emergency medical management of casualties and makes sure Soldiers are combat ready when it comes to their overall health.

Medical Service Corps Officer Medical Service Corps Officers are essential in treating and helping the overall health of Soldiers and their families. They are also responsible for much of the medical research that takes place in the Army. From medical fields such as optometry and podiatry to laboratory sciences to behavioral sciences, the Army Medical Service Corps includes many areas of specialty.

Medical Specialist Corps Officer Medical Specialist Corps Officers are essential in treating and helping the overall health of Soldiers and their families. From medical fields such as occupational therapy and physical therapy to dietician and physician assistant, the Army Medical Specialist Corps includes several areas of specialty. Overall, Army Officers are leaders, and being a leader requires certain qualities such as self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence.

Nurse Corps Officer Army Nurse Corps Officers lead diverse nursing teams in a variety of settings and provide holistic multi-disciplinary care for Soldiers and their families. Officers are leaders. All Army leaders require self-discipline, initiative, confidence, the ability to problem solve and make timely decisions.

Ordnance Officer Ordnance Officers are responsible for ensuring that weapons systems, vehicles, and equipment are ready and available - and in perfect working order - at all times. Thus, Ordnance Officers and the Soldiers they lead are a critical component in the Army's success. Ordnance Officers also oversee the developing, testing, fielding, handling, storage and disposal of munitions.

Personnel Systems Management Officer An Adjutant General Officer is responsible for helping Soldiers with the tasks that affect their overall welfare and well being, while assisting commanders by keeping Soldiers combat-ready. In many cases, the duties of an Adjutant General Officer are very similar to the function of a high-level human resources executive in the civilian world. Officers are leaders, and being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities such as self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence.

Quartermaster Officer Quartermaster Officers are responsible for making sure equipment, materials and systems are available and functioning for missions. More specifically, the Quartermaster Officer provides supply support for Soldiers and units in field services, aerial delivery and material and distribution management. Officers are leaders, and being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities such as self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence.

Transportation Officer Transportation Officers are experts in the systems, vehicles and procedures in moving troops and supplies in the Army. Transportation Officers are responsible for commanding and controlling Transportation operations and combined armed forces during land combat. Officers are leaders, and being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities such as self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence.

Veterinary Corps Officer Army Veterinarian Officers practice in three primary areas: animal medicine, veterinary public health and research and development. Veterinarian Officers are responsible for treating government-owned animals and the valued pets of service members and their families. Army Veterinary Corps Officers are also responsible for programs ensuring the safety and security of Department of Defense food supplies, both in the United States of America and abroad.

As I said before, a Cadet can select a branch they'd like to serve in, but it depends on skills, scores, and where you're needed when the Army assigns you somewhere.

As a side note, my sister-in-law's father went through the ROTC program, and he eventually made it up to the rank of Brigadier General before retiring. Unfortunately he died a couple years ago so I can't ask him any questions.

Okay, that's a lot for one post. I doubt most people will have even read it all :\