Although the army is not all fun and games, the Sam Houston State University Army ROTC Bearkat Battalion will help kick off the spring semester with an entertainment-based open house.
This Wednesday, Jan. 14, the Battalion will host the open house from 12:30- 4:30 p.m. outside of Academic Building III.
“[It is hosted by] Military Science to improve awareness that the ROTC program is here, and it is available for pretty much any student, and let them know what some of the benefits are and [of] the program,” Major Darryl Derr said. “Obviously it’s a leadership training course, we do offer scholarships”
He said that they scholarships are usually a popular draw for students.
There will be a variety of events during the open house, including paintball, a mechanical bull, and the ROTC’s rock wall. Everything is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.
“[It’s for} cadets and their interested guests and other students who want to drop by — they can do that,” Derr said.
Participants will also be able to talk to the different organizations within ROTC, including color guard, the marksmanship team, and the cannon crew. Information about ROTC as well as scholarships and other information will be available.
“Those crews will be out there with their information about their particular department,” Derr said. “It’s [for] faculty or students who want to know about the program or support the institution or be involved in the program, if that’s what they want to do.”
The open house will promote ROTC on campus, as well as spread information about the organization to interested students. Students can also participate in ROTC for two years without commitment to the US Army.
“It’s just to get awareness out there of exactly where we are and what the department offers, and some of it’s jut for entertainment,” Derr said. “We have a lot of students who sign up for the first or second year because they do have fun the first couple semesters they’re in.”