Through four years of ROTC involvement, Andrew Van Klaveren has seen many early mornings of training and many late nights of studying.
Van Klaveren must juggle his double major in pre-medicine and biology along with his classes and training in ROTC.
Afterward, Van Klaveren goes home to shower and prepare for class. His class schedule ends in the early afternoon and then he is off to study for the rest of the day.
For Van Klevaren, this semester has been easier than others. He remembers his training for LDAC, or Leadership Development Assessment Course. Each cadet spends their first three years training for LDAC. The one-month long exercise at the end of LDAC determines each cadet’s ability to become an officer when they graduate.
“Pretty much your whole time in the program is focused on [LDAC] and when you’re done with that, it’s your job to teach all the younger people about that month of training,” he said.
Being a senior, Van Klevaren has already passed the LDAC and now mentors the younger cadets. Doing this has helped him be able to talk in front of people.
Reflecting on his experience in the ROTC program, Van Klevaren credits the program with helping him to mature and become a better leader.
Day in the Life – Andrew
His mornings begin at 5:30 when he wakes up and gets ready for his day. At 6:30 Andrew can be found at Ball Gym with the other ROTC cadets for PT, or physical training. This hour-long workout involves exercises such as sit-ups and push-ups and helps the cadets stay in shape.
ROTC Cadet Daily Routine
Most college students have learned to balance their academic and social life as well as having a job. If that wasn’t hard enough, ROTC cadets at Ball State must add another element into their daily routine. They have four days of PT at 6:30 a.m. for one hour starting Monday. In addition, they must take one military science class each semester for their entirety of their college career. This credited course is accompanied by an uncredited lab they must attend each semester. Finally, they must participate in an additional lab that teaches about army skills and values at 4 p.m. for two hours every semester.
