The University of Guam Reserve Officer Training Corps (UOG ROTC) program is an exceptional opportunity for students to develop leadership skills and prepare for a career in the military. The UOG ROTC program provides students with the necessary training, education and experience to become successful leaders in the Army.

The program offers a challenging curriculum that includes classroom instruction, physical fitness training and hands-on leadership experience. Students are taught military tactics, communication skills and critical thinking abilities that will serve them well in any career path they choose. 

Upon graduating from the program, students are commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army.

ROTC cadets often have busy schedules that require them to attend classes, participate in training exercises, complete assignments, and study for exams. To manage these demands effectively, they need to develop good time management skills. 

Cadet Ashley Iriarte, a freshmen and criminal justice major, shares how she’s been able to get assignments done.

“After my classes, when I get home, I make a to-do list of what’s important, what isn’t, and what I can do later,” she said.

Having to focus on getting assignments done might detract from the discipline needed to fulfill ROTC responsibilities.

Cadet Leimana Naholowaa, a sophomore and criminal justice major, spoke about what motivates her to keep going.

“Sometimes, when I wake up in the morning I think ‘Okay, I don’t want to go [to physical training] this morning.’ and I have to think again and go, ‘This will benefit me if I go because it’ll help me and my future.’”

Motivation can come from various sources, such as personal goals, a sense of duty to one’s country, or a desire to serve others. For Cadet Lidio Fuello, a junior majoring in psychology, motivation to succeed encompasses all those things.

“As someone who is going to be commissioned as an army officer, I am going to lead someone’s son or daughter into war and I don’t want to fail my countrymen by being an incompetent leader. So for me, what it’s about now is that I have to be motivated to make myself better so I can ultimately lead others to succeed as well,”

Cadet Fuello concludes how the comradery of the program makes hardships that come with being a cadet and student all worth the while. 

“In ROTC, there is a common saying, it’s called “embrace the suck”. Despite all the setbacks and adversities, we experience it together as a team and that’s what makes us all closer,” says Fuello.