For many students, during the college decision process, we start narrowing down where we want to go and what we would like to major in. We picture college as a prep before entering the real workforce. But for some, college is a prep before entering years of service to our country. Students training in the Reserve Officers Training Corps take on a load like no other student. Our home by the sea is a no exception when it comes to creating wonderful women and men of service. Her Campus had the pleasure of interviewing a few of our future Service Men and Women. Meet Dazha!
Dazha Austin is a Junior, Aviation Major from Prince George’s County, Maryland.
HC: What moment made you decide that joining ROTC was the right decision for you?
DA: When I realized all the opportunities to come out of it both while I was in school and when I got out.
HC: Why did you specifically choose Hampton ROTC program over the others?
DA: Ever since HS I had been taking tours to Hampton with my Naval Junior Officer Reserve Corps (NROTC) group. I like how the program was inclusive of the other schools such as ODU and NSU. Liking Hampton as a school outside of ROTC made this an even better decision.
HC: What does a typical day in the ROTC program look like?
DA: Every morning is an early morning. Typically you would have PT which starts around 5:45 a.m. and then on Thursday you would have drill which we have to drive over to ODU for. So, in this case, we would meet at 4:50 a.m. We would also wear our uniforms this day. Then depending on the day you either go about your business with your other classes and sometimes you have your Naval Science classes.
HC: After graduation where do you see yourself?
DA: Even though I am no longer in the program I still see myself commissioning into the United States military. I hope to either be an Air Traffic Controller or Pilot and hopefully spend at least 20 years in the service.
HC: What made you choose Navy over Army?
DA: I did NAVY JROTC in high school and I think I was just more familiar with the Navy. Also, the Navy takes better care of you. I did not want to spend days in the woods with the Army *laughs*
Meet Jalon!
Jalon Colston is a Sophomore, 5 year MBA major, from Charlotte, North Carolina.
HC: What moment made you decide that joining ROTC was the right decision for you?
JC: I was in my junior year of high school when I found out about NROTC Program. I knew that I wanted to serve my country but my parents stressed that I get my degree so I saw it as a great opportunity to pay for school and travel the world.
HC: Why did you specifically choose Hampton ROTC program over the others?
JC: Hampton Roads NROTC is one of the largest naval programs in the United States and there is such a huge naval aspect here being that the largest US naval base is in Norfolk. I knew I wanted to go to an HBCU, so I felt it all made sense to train here.
HC: What does a typical day in the ROTC program look like?
JC: We usually have PT or Drill almost every day so waking up to report at 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 a.m. After that we report as regular college students, going to classes and participating in other extracurricular activities. We also wear the uniform every Thursday.
HC: After graduation where do you see yourself?
JC: I will be commissioned as a US Officer and getting prepared to go to flight school to be a pilot.
HC: What made you choose Navy over Army?
JC: I feel that the Department of the Navy is the ultimate fighting force. The Navy controls all actions at sea from world trade to foreign affairs. The Department of Navy also has the Marine Corps which is the most elite combat branch. I was also in NJROTC in high school so I felt natural since I knew so much information about the history of the Navy.
Interested in serving in the military?
Find more information at:
https://www.afrotc.com/ (Air Force)