statistics major<\/a> from Easton, Maryland, has no problem waking up for early morning runs and drills. That\u2019s because he recognizes the impact NROTC has already made on his collegiate career\u2014and no doubt will continue to do so after graduation. He shared, matter-of-factly, \u201cWaking up that early guarantees productivity. It\u2019s rewarding, tiring, and worth it.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\nAs a navy-option MIDN, White was inspired by his family\u2019s legacy of military service, which fueled his own desire to serve. As a sophomore on scholarship, he uses his experience to support first-year cadets. \u201cWe keep each other accountable,\u201d he shares. According to White, NROTC teaches valuable life skills, like time management, productivity, and communication, which are necessary when balancing a full-time student schedule with the program\u2019s additional demands.<\/p>\nSHUTTERFLY GUY:<\/strong> Oliver White serves as his unit\u2019s community relations and social media officer. He photographed a run during new student orientation at the University of Rochester. (Photo provided)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nVeterans Day 5K: An annual tradition<\/strong><\/h3>\nFor more than a decade, the Veterans Day 5K has been an annual tradition for NROTC cadets and alumni. In honor of Veterans Day, ROTC programs from colleges across the region come to the University of Rochester to run in formation with community members.<\/p>\nSTAND PROUD:<\/strong> The last Marine Option Physical Training (MOPT) of the 2023\u201324 academic year. Front (left to right): Julia Barber \u201927, MacKenzie Downs (St. John Fisher University), Samantha Wagner (RIT), Major John Boehles (Marine Officer Instructor 2021\u201324), Gunnery Sergeant Kevin Jimenez (Assistant Marine Officer Instructor 2021\u00ac\u201324), Rachel Yorke \u201925. Back (left to right): Timothy VanGelder \u201927, Samantha Ellrich \u201925, Cole Hogan \u201926, Cameron Niezabytowski (St. John Fisher University), 2nd Lieutenant Jacob Kolmetz (SUNY Brockport), Hayden Gregory (RIT), Nicholas Perry (St. John Fisher University), and 2nd Lieutenant Stephen Fritz (RIT). (Photo provided)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe route takes runners to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Highland Park, where veterans are present, waiting to share their stories. Dudek explains, \u201cThis is a powerful moment to remember those who came before us and remind us why we\u2019ve made the choice to serve.\u201d<\/p>\n
This will be White\u2019s second year to run the Veterans Day 5K. He looks forward to running again this year and listening to the veterans. Last year, while running through the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, White made a point to touch every memorial marker as a way to connect with each serviceperson who went before him.<\/p>\n
Yorke will run this year\u2019s 5K for the fourth and final time as a student. Her favorite part of the day is interacting and networking with cadets from other area ROTC programs. On a normal day, the schools compete, but during this event, everyone is reminded that no matter their branch or school, they each made the choice to raise their right hands and say the oath.<\/p>\nDECKED OUT:<\/strong> Rochester NROTC alumnus Alexander Dudek on the USS Kidd (DDG 100). (Photo provided)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDudek ran the 5K when he was a student and has continued to do so in his role as an officer in the program. \u201cAs an alumnus, it\u2019s nice to see we\u2019re still doing this. It means even more to me now than it did as a student.\u201d<\/p>\n
ROTC students have a unique college experience. Unlike military academy students, they can blend their military commitments with a more typical student experience. In uniform or not, the character and dedication of these students remain steadfast, even when they are physically removed from their military brethren undertaking full-time military training. This run reconnects cadets to the larger military network and community.<\/p>\n
Connected through legacy<\/strong><\/h3>\nAfter this academic semester, Dudek\u2019s \u201cshore tour\u201d in Rochester will end, and he will be stationed on the USS\u00a0Tripoli\u00a0out of San Diego, California. Through every conversation and interaction, Dudek has made it his mission in Rochester to build up every cadet to impact the world positively. He is thankful to the NROTC students for bringing him back to the \u201cwhy\u201d they all serve.<\/p>\n
Every day, Rochester\u2019s NROTC cadets and alumni honor the legacy of those who served before them, living the Navy\u2019s motto of \u201cHonor, Courage, Commitment,\u201d augmented with the University of Rochester\u2019s own motto, Meliora<\/em>\u2014meaning \u201cever better.\u201d For Dudek, Yorke, and White, these mottos transcend their daily lives, embodying their commitment to their country and a tradition that connects them to generations of servicemembers past and future.<\/p>\nWE REMEMBER: <\/strong> Rachel Yorke (left) passes the US flag to ensign Levi Wyns (RIT) at the annual 9\/11 vigil on the Eastman Quadrangle in 2023. (Photo provided)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Generations of cadets at honor military veterans through tradition, service, and the pursuit of ever better.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1422,"featured_media":627302,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[42,38462,39442,40762,10876,16072],"class_list":["post-627272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-campus-community","tag-alumni","tag-class-of-2024","tag-class-of-2025","tag-class-of-2027","tag-nrotc","tag-school-of-arts-and-sciences"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
The enduring legacy of NROTC at the University of Rochester<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n