Advocates For Columbia ROTC: February 2008

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Military Men Reflect on Careers, Motivations

26 February 2008 Columbia Spectator article "Military Men Reflect on Careers, Motivations". Note: The Hamilton Society, an undergraduate military advocacy group, sponsored a program in which recent veterans described their experiences in the military. Air Force Staff Sergeant Jason Kimberling said “I’ve walked through a lot of villages in Afghanistan where the Taliban has come through and cut the hands off all the children... When you see those things, it’s pretty clear in my mind the difference between what’s right and what’s wrong. I know why I’m there.” Photos are at this link.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Columbia University Hamilton Society "Why We Serve" Event

25 February 2008 Columbia University Hamilton Society "Why We Serve" Event. Note: Photos from the even described the next day in a Columbia Spectator article.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Keep Columbia Out of the War

8 February 2008 Columbia Spectator column "Keep Columbia Out of the War" by David Judd. Note: Judd writes that it is a "black mark" on Columbia that a tenth of a percent of its endowment is invested in defense contractors, and "by maintaining its investments, Columbia does not maintain its neutrality. It has chosen to own a piece of the war". He argues that Columbia should not support ROTC since the mission of the military "currently centers on a disastrous occupation".

Monday, February 4, 2008

Candidates, Cadets Wrestle With ROTC Presence

4 February 2008 Columbia Spectator article "Candidates, Cadets Wrestle With ROTC Presence". Note: The article discusses how to create an atmosphere supportive of ROTC at Columbia, from increasing the number of ROTC students to pleading with the military ‘Please take us seriously—we want to serve.’

Advocates for ROTC

is an umbrella group for organizations that promote an atmosphere supportive of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps on college campuses.

ROTC was active at all major universities in the United States until the Vietnam War, when it was de-certified by some colleges amid anti-war sentiment. Students at these colleges can take part in ROTC programs at other colleges and receive ROTC scholarships. Although much of the anti-military sentiment of the 1960s has waned, opposition to ROTC continues, centering around the "don't ask, don't tell" law about homosexuality in the armed forces passed by Congress in 1993 and signed into law by President Clinton.

ROTC is a core part of the nation's military training, producing more officers than the Service academies. At colleges without ROTC, students are growing up separated from some of the most important leaders of the future. Gen. David Petraeus, the military commander in Iraq, stresses that ROTC "is very important for our Army and our country" and that many ROTC graduates are "true national assets". President George W. Bush said "It should not be hard for our great schools of learning to find room to honor the service of men and women who are standing up to defend the freedoms that make the work of our universities possible". Both the country and the universities will benefit from having more such leaders.

Advocates For Columbia ROTC