Page 121 - YB1964

Campus history claims that Western Maryland has one of the oldest and finest ROTC units on the East Coast, and the fact that every year cadets from WMC take top honors in summer camp and go on to successful Army careers supports this boast. Even those who take only the two required years are bound to be the better for the experience, even if they only learn to get regular haircuts and shine their shoes occasionally. The advanced cadet receives invaluable leadership training, helpful, regardless of career choice, and, of course, that wonderful and long-awaited $27.90 a month. Pacifist or gung-ho Pruss ian, whether you like ROTC or hate it, it's pretty hard to be indifferent to it, and it's almost guaranteed that you will remember it. Who could forget an M-l thumb? And how many of us can claim we've never had one? How can you erase the memory of a 35-pound overcoat, or of standing at attention, sweaty and with knees knock- ing, waiting for the first (or second, or third) big inspection? How many hours have been spent spit-shining shoes and boots, or polishing brass? And how many times have hundreds of green- clad warriors trudged through mud and snow to drill, dodging the verbal slings and arrows of outrageous pre-meds and other consci- entious objectors?