Enrollment in the ROTC program at BYU is up since last year, but the increase may not be related to the events of last Sept. 11 or a potential war with Iraq.

Capt. Richard Warr of the Air Force ROTC said the increase in enrollment is probably a result of many things, but increased patriotism is likely a driving force.

Currently, about 275 cadets are enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program with an additional 254 in the Army ROTC. Compared with last year, enrollment this Fall was up 28 percent for the Air Force and 25 percent for the Army, program officials said.

An average commitment for an Air Force cadet is four years after graduation and eight years for an Army cadet.

"Anytime there's an increase in patriotism we're going to see an increase in enrollment," Warr said.

Warr also said current events might deter people from joining the ROTC program.

"Some people are afraid, and they don't want to fight, or they don't agree with the government's position," he said.

Cadets in the ROTC also receive scholarship benefits.

But Nick Johnson, an Army cadet in the ROTC, said his fellow cadets are not in it for the money.

"I think it's a bonus," he said. " It enables us to join the Army. It makes it so we can do it."

Johnson, 20, a junior from Fallen, Nev., studying classical civilizations, said he joined the ROTC because of his family, who has been a military family since the 1600s.

While they are students, ROTC cadets will not be called on to defend their country in war. But they face that possibility when they enter active duty after completing school.

Johnson said he and other cadets are not afraid of the potential war with Iraq.

"That's part of the job," he said. "It's why we're in here. We want to make a difference."

Capt. Brett Swigert of the Air Force ROTC also said the cadets he has spoken to are not afraid of defending their country.

"It's just the opposite," he said. "Sometimes cadets are a little anxious to go on active duty. It's like being in the MTC for four years. After four years of talking about it, you just want to get out and do it."

Swigert said though cadets are anxious to serve their country, they do not necessarily want to go to war.

"We love peace," he said. "We're often the last ones who want to go to war. But we're ready."

Though a war is possible, it would not have a great effect on the ROTC program, Warr said.

"Our mission is to train officers for the Air Force," he said. "It (a war) won't really change that at all."



Copyright Brigham Young University 18 Nov 2002