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“It’s a time commitment,” Cox said. “We have many cadets that strike that balance, but it’s challenging. We are not saying it’s the right fit for every college student but we do believe it’s a strong option for many.”
One path, which both Smith and McAtee were a part of before leaving the corps, is the citizen-leader track. According to the corps, the purpose of the track is to create leaders of “character and integrity, regardless of whether they choose a civilian career upon graduation or whether they choose a military career.”
Smith appreciates the aims of the alternative, and the opportunities it provides.
“(The civilian track) builds you to be a leader in the community,” Smith said.
Within this program, students go through all of the same experiences as the military-track cadets, including the very strict first few weeks of school, known as the Red Phase. This is six weeks in which the freshmen “rats” focus all of their free time, and more, on learning the traditions, values and rules of the corps.
If a cadet decides to drop out before the end of the Red Phase, they will then be required to drop out of the university all together, for the rest of the semester. They have the option of reapplying the following semester for admissions back to the university.
There are several implications for dropping out of the corps. If cadets have a scholarship, it will be dropped upon their departure. Also, dropping out requires a change in housing for freshman.
Although McAtee and Smith chose to leave, both said that being a part of the Corps was a positive experience.
“The camaraderie is really awesome. You end up being really good friends with a group of thirty people. It was also awesome learning the traditions of Tech,” McAtee said. “How many people really know that the colors are Chicago maroon and burnt orange?”
Smith agreed with McAtee’s sentiments.
“The first few weeks in the corps made me realize a lot about myself, and it changed me overall for the better,” Smith said. “Something I’ll take away from it is teamwork, and camaraderie, and to be proud of what you are and what you stand for.”
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A version of this article appeared in the Nov 27 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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How many people don't know the colors are Chicago Maroon and Burnt Orange?
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If the football uniforms are anything to go by, not a lot.
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I'm not sure that you understand what the word "civilian" means
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The authors of this article should have interviewed upperclassmen who have dropped, not just freshmen. Dropping as an upperclassman is a bit different than dropping as a freshman.
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“How many people really know that the colors are Chicago maroon and burnt orange?”
The majority of students.
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Coupla things...I don't think disorderly conduct is a reason someone would "choose" to leave the corps - more like a reason for dismissal. Also, the whole article obscures the fact that there are both ROTC and non-ROTC members. If I'm not mistaken, you can be in ROTC without being in the corps as well. Just because you're in the corps doesn't mean you are headed to the military.
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Ok, well, page 1 did anyway. Guess page 2 talks about non-military track. Mmm, that crow sho is tasty.
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If you are enrolled in the ROTC program, you are required to be in the Corps. It's ridiculous but something the ROTC departments and the Corps drew up. But you are correct in saying you do not have to be military. That's what the civilian-track is for.
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