With graduation just past and the much-anticipated arrival of summer, many former high school seniors are burdened with the distant worries of college, and the hefty costs that accompany the higher education process. However, three now-alumni of CCHS will not have to worry about paying for college, or even finding their first jobs after obtaining four-year degrees. This is because Christian, Nick, and Tanner Stiker were all accepted into the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program.

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or ROTC for short, is a leadership program that aims to train the leaders of tomorrow by providing them with education and career opportunities after graduation from four-year institutes. ROTC is available at over 1,100 colleges and universities nation-wide, and offers merit-based scholarships that can pay up to the full cost of tuition. Nick chose Army ROTC, while Tanner and Christian opted for ROTC through the Navy.

The Stikers were motivated in part to apply for the program to continue their father’s legacy. “My Dad did ROTC, so that was my first attraction to the program, but I realized that it was a great way to stay in shape during college and get some really great leadership opportunities,” said Tanner. Nick agreed, and added, “I look at it as a good first job and a way for me to grow up and start to mature.”

The application progress was rigorous, but ended up being fruitful. “I had to fill out an online application that was similar to but lengthier than the Common App, write essays, get letters of recommendation, send in a physical fitness test, and interview with a military science professor,” Christian said. “After all this was completed, I heard back a couple months later hearing that I got the year scholarship. Only 2% of people who apply for ROTC get the four-year scholarship, so I was really excited about that.”

ROTC offers many benefits to those who partake in the program. “The total list of benefits ROTC offers could fill a page, so I’ll focus on two benefits that I find to be particularly attractive,” said Christian. “First, ROTC offers an individual a chance to participate in a real leadership role that can significantly prepare him or her for future service in the military or leadership roles within business. It gives the rare chance to actually practice leadership and management; no group projects or school simulations can replicate the experience that ROTC offers. Second, the financial compensation is very helpful.”

Nick added, “The main benefit is that college tuition gets paid for. So overall, my scholarship is $203,000, which is all covered by the government. On top of that, each month I get a $300 stipend which is my spending money for college. So there are a lot of financial benefits that can really help you out.”

The Stikers are all attending highly respectable colleges to start off their ROTC careers. Tanner is attending the University of Virginia, and plans to major in Environmental Sciences with a possible minor in either psychology or economics. Christian will attend Georgetown to double-major in management and leadership with managerial computing. Nick will attend Boston College, and will be majoring in finance.

“I am most excited about all the different experiences I’m going to have,” said Tanner. “During each summer from freshman to senior year, the Navy takes you around the world and lets you do some pretty amazing things like fly in jets, live in a submarine, and tour the coasts on Navy cruisers.”

Tanner, Christian, and Nick already have a general idea of what they will be doing after college. “I’ll be going into the Navy for five years as my scholarship requires me to do,” said Christian. “After that, who knows? I think the wisest decision for my future career is to focus on my education and service, and then follow my general skill set into a more specific career choice.”

Tanner would like to go to graduate school and become a marine biologist or oceanographer, and Nick is planning on active duty in the Army for four years in the Military Intelligence branch. “After that, I’m hoping to get my MBA and then work at a financial institution either in banking or private equity,” he said.

All three Stikers are grateful for the opportunities that ROTC will offer them. ““If you are a dedicated and self-motivated individual who is interested in a military career, then you should absolutely apply for ROTC,” Tanner said. “The program certainly isn’t for everyone, but it does pay for college and offers a great way to see the world and gain life skills.”