UT’s Army ROTC and the Tennessee Army National Guard hosted faculty and staff from across campus May 16 for an orientation session about their organizations and how they help students. Attendees also got to experience a familiarization flight aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The helicopters took off and landed at Haslam Field, just outside the Anderson Training Complex.
Staff Sergeant Wes Samsel oversees UT’s simultaneous membership program with the Tennessee National Guard. The program gives students an opportunity to gain additional training and experience by attending Army ROTC while serving in the US Army Reserve or Army National Guard and working toward their college degree.
“This was a great way to show what our cadets do and how UT’s Army ROTC program can be a resource for all students, faculty, and staff on campus,” said Samsel. “We wanted to bring awareness to the program and continue to build upon the strong relationship UT has with the Tennessee National Guard.”
There are 130 cadets currently enrolled in program, and another 50 will be added this fall. UT’s Army ROTC program is one of the oldest in the country, tracing its roots to the founding of the university in 1794. The program was officially founded in 1916 when ROTC was created at the national level.
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CONTACT:
Katherine Saxon (865-974-8365, ksaxon@utk.edu)