DeKALB | ROTC student Richard Plettau knows the meaning of responsibility.

Plettau serves as a color guard platoon leader in the ROTC program and is responsible for the actions, training, physical fitness and overall well-being of himself and 11 cadets.

However, at the end of the day, Plettau says he’s not that different from other college students.

Day in the life of an ROTC cadet

For Plettau, a cadet, second lieutenant and junior political science major, a normal day begins at 5:30 a.m. with an hour of physical training.

After physical training, he usually goes to the Campus Recreation Center to lift weights for another hour, then goes home to eat breakfast and get ready for his classes.

After classes are finished for the day, he works on homework, shines his boots and “squares away” his uniform. He continues to plan training for his platoon and brief his squad leaders. After everything is completed, Plettau can finally relax and hang out with his friends.

Plettau, who joined ROTC his freshman year, said he has learned management skills, discipline, responsibility and how to deal with all types of people. Though Plettau said he realizes he has a lot more responsibility than most students, he does not find it overwhelming.

“I still do everything else you would imagine a college student would do,” he said. “It’s really not that different, but I believe it still is different enough to where I cannot call myself a ‘typical’ college student.”

Plettau said he still finds time to focus on school, hang out with friends and work a part-time job.

After graduating, he plans to serve four years on active duty as an officer in the Army, and later, plans to return to school to pursue a master’s degree. Plettau said he may even consider making the Army his career.

Meeting expectations

Chris Morales, a senior history major and third-year cadet, is a squad leader in ROTC who also is responsible for the actions of other students. Morales, who joined ROTC as a sophomore, is taking 18 credit hours, volunteers in the color guard and is president of the Chi Sigma Tau fraternity. After graduating, Morales would like to work as a military intelligence officer in the Army.

“I come from a military family, and [ROTC] is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Morales said. “I think this country has given a lot to my family and I just think sometimes you need to give back.”

Balancing school with ROTC

Elise Swan, a sophomore geology major and corporal in ROTC, is a team leader for four squad members. Swan volunteers in the color guard and is taking 17 credit hours.

“The higher you go up in ROTC, the more responsibility you get,” Swan said. “Right now I’m not having too many problems. My classes are a lot harder than last year, but that’s just what I have to deal with.”

As for GPA requirements, those going into the Army need to maintain a 2.8 minimum GPA, whereas students who aren’t need to maintain a 2.0 GPA, said Lieutenant Colonel Craig Engel. Maintaining a high GPA should be students’ first priority, not he said. For those going into the Army, their GPA makes up 40 percent of their score that goes to the board, Engel said.

“The guidance we give every cadet is that they are a student first, and that it’s most important that they have good grades,” Engel said.

Michelle Gibbons is a Campus Reporter for the Northern Star.