My Army ROTC Experience

By Jackson Mann

When I began applying to colleges, I had two main goals: to pursue a military career and to graduate without the burden of student debt. These priorities led me to apply to both the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy. I was initially accepted to West Point, but due to a medical disqualification related to past ADHD medication, I wasn’t able to attend. While it was disappointing at the time, I quickly shifted my focus to other opportunities I had been exploring in parallel.

Alongside my service academy applications, I had also applied for an Army ROTC scholarship. I was fortunate to receive a four-year award and had the option to attend several schools, including Point Loma, Santa Clara University, and the University of San Diego (USD). I ultimately chose USD for its strong academics and location—unaware at the time of how impactful the ROTC program would become to my overall college experience.

The Army ROTC program at USD is hosted by San Diego State University (SDSU), meaning I attend classes at USD while conducting ROTC training and coursework through SDSU. This dual-campus arrangement has provided a valuable experience. The structure of ROTC has helped ground me during college, offering consistency, discipline, and a strong sense of purpose. Mornings typically begin early with physical training or military science classes, and while that schedule means I occasionally miss late-night activities during the week, I’ve still been able to enjoy my weekends and maintain a healthy social life.

ROTC has played a central role in shaping who I’ve become during college. It has challenged me to grow and introduced me to some of my closest friends. Whether through early morning workouts, leadership labs, or field training, these shared experiences have created a strong sense of camaraderie. At the same time, I’ve maintained friendships outside the program—both from high school and through other student clubs and organizations—so I’ve never felt socially confined by ROTC.

There are certainly some challenges that come with the program. The physical and academic demands can lead to mid-day fatigue, which I manage with the occasional nap. Once a semester, we participate in weekend-long training events that sometimes overlap with class schedules. Thankfully, my professors have always been supportive, allowing me to make up missed work and quizzes without issue.

One of the most rewarding aspects of ROTC has been learning from the cadre—Army officers and NCOs who bring real-world experience into our training. Their mentorship has helped me better understand what military leadership looks like in practice. I’ve also had the chance to attend Army schools and field training exercises that I have felt strengthen my leadership skills.

ROTC has helped me stay academically focused as well. To retain the scholarship, cadets must meet GPA requirements, which has encouraged me to stay on top of my coursework. I’ve always enjoyed learning, so the balance between academics and ROTC has been manageable. If I could offer one piece of advice to my past self, it would be to start preparing for the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) earlier. Once I shifted my training to target the specific demands of the test, my scores improved, and I felt more confident in my performance.

I chose Army ROTC over other service branches primarily because of the academic flexibility. Unlike the Navy and Marine ROTC programs, which are often tied to specific majors, the Army allowed me to pursue the field I was most interested in. I was also drawn to the variety of jobs available in the Army.

Looking back, the path I’ve taken has worked out well. While I didn’t end up at West Point, my time in Army ROTC at USD through SDSU has been a blessing in disguise, providing me with meaningful experiences, valuable mentorship, and lasting friendships that I may not have had otherwise. The program has helped me grow as an individual, and I’m grateful for the foundation it has laid for my career after graduation.