Schantz earns ROTC scholarship

2009 Sisters High School Graduate, Thomas Schantz, has been awarded a full-ride Marine ROTC Scholarship. Schantz, a dedicated student, state tournament wrestler and Associated Student Government leader, is eager to enter what he calls, "a very different world."

"I've been dreaming of military service since I was in sixth grade," he said. "It's such an honor to be selected into the program."

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a college-based officer-commissioning program. It is a four-year elective that focuses on leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning and professional ethics.

When President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Morrill Act on July 2, 1862, it established land-grant colleges. The purpose was to move our country from its agricultural roots into the industrial age. The institutions were given large amounts of land that they could sell to fund their school. The federal government required these schools to include military tactics as part of their curriculum, which began the concept of ROTC in the United States. The first ROTC program originated at Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont.

ROTC scholarships are awarded to anyone between the ages of 17 and 23 who applies and qualifies. The application and nomination processes are highly competitive and merit-based, but the rewards are substantial. The value of these scholarships varies depending on the cost of the college/university the student chooses.

Schantz will be attending Oregon State University (OSU) and train at the Naval Armory where the office of the Marine ROTC unit is housed.

A significant part of Midshipman Schantz' professional training during the four-year program will take place each summer. Schantz will be assigned to an active-duty Marine unit for his summer training.

2005 Sisters High School graduate, Joe Green, recently completed his course of studies at OSU in the Air Force ROTC program and will be commissioned this summer into the United States Air Force as a second lieutenant.

Students interested in ROTC scholarships should contact their local recruiter in their junior year. All ROTC branches close their application process by December/January. The students are interviewed and notified of acceptance in their senior year.