Life of an Army ROTC Cadet

The life of an army ROTC cadet requires perseverance, determination, and commitment. Cards Eye View was invited to follow several cadets to get a first-hand experience of their daily routine. The cadets traveled with Cards Eye View to Fort Knox, Kentucky, which is located approximately forty five minutes south of Louisville. Fort Knox is the headquarters of cadet command which is responsible for all cadets in the nation, including United States territories. During their time at the Fort Knox base, the cadets participated in an LDX, a leadership development exercise. During the LDX, the cadets practiced land navigation through heavily-wooded areas, flew in helicopters, and were dropped off into the woods to conduct STX lanes. STX lanes are squad training exercises in which the cadets are placed in real-life scenarios they may encounter during their time in the army.

On an average day, cadets follow a strict regimen designed to facilitate their specific social, academic, and career-related goals. Several cadets sat down to discuss their personal experience with the ROTC, Reserve Officer Training Corps, program. Cadet Owen said, “A day in ROTC sometimes can start kind of early but it gets you a good start to the day.” He later continued, “It’s pretty difficult sometimes but you just have to maintain your priorities. Hit your schoolwork first, make sure that’s at the top of your list. Make sure you give proper attention and focus to ROTC and you also have to do the same thing with your family. Make sure you’re spending enough time with your family but it’s an equal balance across it all and don’t let it get to you and wear you out too much.”

Cadets described their weekly workout regimen as being in a state of constant change to help them become more physically well-rounded. Cadet Williams said, “I wake up at 0530, maybe eat an apple, little bit of coffee, go to PT, run a little bit, I don’t know, and then classes. Whenever I’m done with classes, go to the gym. Depends on what day it is- chest, back, (biceps), legs, could be anything.”

When students join ROTC, they are influenced by several factors. Cadet Owens said, “I think just like a desire to serve my country, be able to take part in serving in our military, and also taking part in defending our country in this time of war. I joined six years ago so it’s a little bit different time now but still the same thing, just a desire to serve.” Cadet Gassama joined the Army National Guard after moving to America from Gambia, located in Senegal, a part of West Africa. Gossama said, “I joined ROTC because, when I was deployed, I see what officers do. They make more impact in the army.”

Gossama explained that recruits enlisted in the Army National Guard can have a great impact and effect on those they encounter while in service but that officers have a greater influence on a decision-making level. He later said, “When I (went) back to try to do ROTC, I wanted to be an officer. I talked to my commander. He gave me two options. I can either do OCS (Officer Candidate School) if I want to stay in the Guard or I can do ROTC where I will have (the) chance to go active duty.” Like many others, Gossama believes that ROTC gives him a better opportunity to follow his civic duty and help others.

There are several requirements and restrictions that apply to new recruits joining the ROTC program. Students must pass a PT, Physical Training, class and maintain their body mass index throughout their training. They also are required to uphold a 2.5 overall grade point average and a 3.0 grade point average in all military sciences classes. The key to success in the ROTC program is balance. Cadet Brown said, “It’s a process that you start your first year. You have some time to figure it out. Usually by the third year you have what’s important figured out. Your classes, your PT, ROTC classes, that type of stuff. But I absolutely think it’s a process.”

Once Army ROTC cadets commission into the U.S. army, there is a guaranteed job with benefits offered to them. They are provided with the opportunity to become a Second Lieutenant once they have completed their ROTC training. Cadets must meet high expectations throughout their time in the program but the overall experience prepares them for their journey into active duty.

Haunt Life

If you’ve ever been to a haunted house, I’m sure you know the routine. Ghouls and goblins, dark hallways, startling sounds and motions, chainsaws whirring. Many haunts follow a similar pattern so as best to serve the desires of patrons. For three years, I worked at a haunted house that took a different approach.

Each room in our haunt was set up like a scene from various horror films and tales. I worked as Samara from The Ring and Regan from The Exorcist. Haunt actors often get shuffled around when other actors aren’t able to work their scene. Joining the haunt industry is often compared to becoming a member of a new family. Once you’re part of the crew, you learn how to assimilate to their primary customs.

To give you a better idea of what it’s like to work at the haunt, you need to understand some of the language we “haunters” are accustomed to.

Haunters: people who work at a haunted house.
Screamers: actors who have one self-explanatory job: to scream.
Howling: when everyone is in position and the haunting hour begins, it is customary for haunters to howl. This is a way of saying, “we’re ready to go.”

There are three noteworthy codes that actors are commended for provoking:

Code Yellow: someone scared a customer so bad that they wet their pants.
Code Brown: similar to code yellow but worse. Much worse.
Code Black: a customer had their wits scared out of them and passed out.

As customers travel with their pack from one room to the next, they are greeted with familiar cult terrors from films past. When approaching The Exorcist room, customers begin to hear me scream and call out, “Mother? Mother, make it stop! It’s burning! It’s burrrrrning!” As the last sentence trails off, I acquire a demonic, gravelly tone and cackle evilly while customers enter. The room is a replica of Regan’s bedroom in the film. I hold on to ties that seemingly bind me to a blood-stained bed. This gives customers a sense of false security and oftentimes they will get closer to the edge of the bed as a result. This is when I quickly crawl to the end of the bed, hoist my leg over my shoulder and say, “Keep away! The sow is mine!” My next step is to to stand up, break free of one of the ties and aggressively reach out for the customers as a priest pops out yelling, “The power of Christ compels you!”

One particular evening, I decided to take it a step further. A group came in to the room in conga formation, one clinging to the next. A man in the middle of the lineup seemed particularly squeamish, leaning as close to the wall opposite me as possible. I hopped off the bed, spun around so my back faced them, and as the priest began to chant, I arched my head back towards the group as far as I could. I began to drag the bed towards them, screeching and reaching for the squeamish middle man. The group squealed and ran from the room, jumping in surprise as the priest popped out. A pungent odor lingering in the room was explained by the man’s screams from the hallway, “I think I just shit my pants!” The priest and I were commended later that evening for what seemed to be a code brown achievement.

There are many noteworthy incidents like this that one is bound to encounter in the haunt industry. Groups are stereotyped by the volume, terror, and actions. I had a knocking system worked out with actors in the room opposite The Ring room. Two knocks on the wall for a routine group, three knocks for a fun group, and four knocks for groups of jerks. This allowed me to converse with other actors since I often worked alone in The Ring room.

On slow nights, actors would visit the other rooms and do walkthroughs to see what the haunt is like from customers’ perspective. Often times these walk throughs would be filmed and later turned into a film that we all would gather to watch at the end of each season. We even gather with other haunts for post haunt meetings and celebrations, just to keep in touch.

If you’ve ever wondered whether the effect the haunt actors had on you was reciprocated, the answer is yes. Chances are your group was talked about right after you left the room. Haunters live for the screams, we thrive on fear and positive reactions from customers. So next time you visit a haunt, be sure to put on a show for them too.

Top 10 Unexplored Perks of Being a UofL Student

The University of Louisville is a sizable campus with many buildings and organizations to explore. With work, classes, and social lives to juggle, it is unlikely that students have had the opportunity to investigate and consider all the resources that the University has made available to them. During my time at UofL I have discovered some beneficial perks that may come in handy for other students or staff.

1. Free Coffee and Doughnuts

This perk is for the early birds on campus. Students may line up inside the Red Barn to get a free cup of coffee and a Krispy Kreme doughnut on Tuesday mornings from 8:30 to 10 am. The Red Barn is located next to the Student Activities Center.

2. Headache Relief

Stuck on campus with a throbbing migraine? Have no fear! There are two sources of free headache medication available on campus:

• Your first option is the Health Promotion building, located between the Student Activities Center and the Houchens building. The main entrance is the door closest to the parking lot. Once you enter, there is a waiting room on your left.  Within this room are free Ziploc bags containing thermometers, salt, and aspirin.
• Your second option is Cardinal Station, located at 215 Central Avenue. They are available in the waiting room or by request.
  

  3. The Microwave

There is a student lounge on the first floor of Davidson Hall that has a working microwave students may use at their convenience. The lounge also gives students access to computers, television, and a comfortable seating area.

4. Wendy’s Hidden Menu Item

Looking for something inexpensive and somewhat healthy to eat? Wendy’s has a veggie sandwich for $.69 that includes buns, lettuce, red onions, tomatoes, pickles, and condiments. Pretzel buns are available for $.30 and for just $.50 more you can add cheese. I recommend provolone!

5. Finals Blitz

Near the end of each semester, the REACH program provides snacks and refreshments for students in Strickler Hall. Be sure to keep an eye out for free goodies by checking the campus events schedule online. http://events.louisville.edu/calendar

6. Ekstrom Rentals

Students can:

• request a private room in which to study or watch a movie.
• check out up to three films for five days at a time from the first floor of Ekstrom library.
• check out headphones, laptops, and tablets. The only catch is that these high-cost items must remain within Ekstrom during use.
• Student IDs are required for check out.
  

  7. Free Coffee and Creamer

• Step 1: go to the Reach center in Strickler Hall where free coffee is available. Be sure to bring a cup with you! If you forgot to bring a cup, you may purchase one in Davidson Hall from the snack shop in the lobby.
• Step 2: Head over to the Tulip Tree Café in Ekstrom library or Einstein Bros Café in the Humanities building for free coffee necessities such as fresh milk, creamer, and honey.
  

  8. Spinelli’s Pizza Discount

Students may purchase any one-topping pizza for $12 from any Spinelli’s location in or around Louisville. Be sure to bring your student I.D. with you as proof that you actually are a student.

9. Whitney Hall Concert Discount

The Louisville Orchestra offers $10 discount tickets to UofL students for select pop/classic concert performances. Music school students may attend performances at no cost thanks to an anonymous donor.

10. Free Printing

This is potentially the most useful perk available on campus. Printing is one of the hassles that all students will have to face at one point or another throughout their college education. Want to do it for free? Here’s how in three simple steps:

• Go to the 3^rd floor of Ekstrom library and look for the Writing Center. It is advisable to bring a flash drive with you!
• Let the person at the front desk know that you are there to work on a paper and would like to print it when you are done. You may need to present your student I.D.
• Actually take the time to write your paper in the center or at least bring your work with you on your flash drive. Keep in mind that you will not be allowed to print unless you spend some time working in the Writing Center beforehand. If you have any questions, there are staff members available to help you with writing or computer troubles. If you have any further questions about location or hours of operation, the Writing Center’s phone number is (502)852-2173.