Lehigh ROTC program prepares students to serve

Unlike some college sophomores, Kobe Miller, ’19, already knows what he is doing after graduation.

After he walks across the stage at Goodman Stadium, Miller will be serving in active duty in the U.S. Army.

Miller is part of a select group of students who, while the rest of campus is still fast asleep, is getting ready to start his day at 6 a.m. as a part of ROTC or Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. ROTC offers students a way to get both a college education and prepare for a future of serving the country.

“You’re learning how to become a future officer in the United States Army,” Miller said.

Lehigh’s ROTC program brings together about 80 students from all over the country who attend several local schools including Lehigh, DeSales, Lafayette, Kutztown and Moravian to serve as cadets in preparation for active duty, the army reserves or the national guard.

“It’s an awesome program, and I absolutely love it,” Miller said. “I can’t imagine myself not in it, honestly. I’m 110 percent committed to the cause.”

The program involves physical training sessions three times a week from 6-7 a.m., a military science course that must be taken every year, and a three-hour lab once a week to expand upon what was learned in class, so time management skills are essential, Dylan Dilulio, ’17, said.

“I was a Gryphon for two years, so being a full-time cadet, an engineering student and a Gryphon was definitely a full-time job,” he said. “I definitely would not have achieved all of that in an academically challenging school if I didn’t have the quality of an ROTC program like they have here.”

Zach Brogie, ’17, has seen the impact of ROTC on his time management skills.

“Waking up early for ROTC three or four days a week makes it really easy to wake up early on the fifth day of the week on Friday,” he said.

This allows him to balance ROTC, his classes and his job in the Community Service Office. He typically goes to bed around 9:30 p.m. to allow himself to start his days so early.

“My friends all make fun of me (for going to bed so early),” he said.

Brogie has also seen a lot of personal development in his leadership skills from being in ROTC.

“I’ve done a lot of leadership training in high school and college, and I can easily say that ROTC has been the most influential thing on my leadership style and ability,” he said.

He joined ROTC as a sophomore after seeing how meaningful the program and training events were.

Unlike Brogie, Dilulio knew he wanted to be an Army officer his entire life and applied to colleges that offered ROTC programs. He said he’s always wanted to serve his country.

Brogie, Dilulio and Miller have all been a part of the selflessness associated with being in the Army through the ROTC, especially through the mentorship program where upperclassmen are able to mentor underclassmen.

“You have plenty of team projects at school, but it’s always for a grade,” Brogie said. “But when you’re working with people at ROTC, you’re doing it for the underclassmen.”

Dilulio agreed, stating the mentorship program really allows upperclassmen to take their experience in the ROTC and use it to connect to underclassmen on a personal level.

Miller, an underclassman, is excited and motivated for his future in the Army.

“There’s nothing bigger than (the Army) that you can be a part of,” Miller said. “You’re protecting the lives of so many civilians. It’s awesome that you’re going to be able to do that one day.”

After graduation, students in the ROTC program can choose to serve in active duty for four years with four years of standby, or to be in the reserves or national guard for six years with two years of standby.

“I didn’t really have direction in my life in high school, so it’s kind of nice knowing that I have at least four years set for my future after college,” Miller said.

Brogie and Dilulio have chosen to serve in the National Guard instead of active duty and are currently applying to different National Guard jobs. Dilulio wants to be an infantry officer, and Brogie aspires to become a professor and citizen soldier.

As members of ROTC, Brogie, Dilulio and Miller have gained valuable skill sets that can be applied to their experiences beyond Lehigh as they serve the nation as members of the Army.