LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 1996 21B
ROTC branches weather change
BY MEGAN POPLINGER
JOURNAL-WORLD WRITER
The Kansas University Reserve Officer Training Corps is running smoothly from all branches the Army, Air Force and Navy but times are changing and each branch is being affected.
Army Maj. Jane I. Harris, assistant professor of military science, said Army ROTC enrollment for the 1996-97 school year is higher than last year.
High numbers may not be so good for students, however, because it is becoming more difficult to get requested positions.
"It used to be whatever you asked for, you got, because the Army needed second lieutenants," Harris said, "but as the Army gets smaller, need decreases."
Harris said the military's downsizing recently hit ROTC and she predicts it will result in a more competitive program.
The downsizing is no longer causing problems for the Navy ROTC, according to Maj. Eric C. Holt, Marine officer instructor. Holt envisions a military focusing more on joint efforts instead of each branch remaining separate.
Currently, there are not joint ROTC classes, but Holt sees that in the future. He used the Persian Gulf War as an example of how the military works as a whole now more than it ever did before. He said that if they have to fight together, that they should start becoming knowledgeable on details of other military branches.
As for the enrollment of Navy ROTC students, Holt said that it is down by about 15 to 20 but he said this is to be expected because the economy is booming and there is not a clear and present danger to the country at this time. Recruiting is better when people think they are needed.
"There are no good bad guys," Holt said.
Air Force Capt. Daniel Staggernborg, who is responsible for Air Force cadet training, said the Air Force expects fewer cadets this year, partially because of fewer walk-ons due to a new fee schedule.
In the past, the Air Force ROTC would have students who try the program because it didn't cost students to carry extra hours once they'd pay for a full-time fees. Now, because students must pay for classes by the hour, there may be fewer who test the program.
Program allows alumni friends to travel globe
Continued from page 20B
the group to return to Europe after living in Norway for two years. Their next trip will take them through the rivers of the Carolinas.
Wiley Mitchell, a former professor in the business school, graduated from KU in 1943. He said the precision of planning distinguishes the program.
"They're very well organized and exceedingly well run," he said.
"They're great trips," she said.
"I have always entoyed them."
Gwen Mitchell went to Ohio State, but has since become a KU convert, at least when it comes to the Flying jawhaws.
The first-ever trip came in 1969, when the alumni association organized a charter-plane trip to watch the Jayhawks play in the Orange Bowl in Miami. The excursion required three planes, prompting the association to begin organizing trips every year.
Hawaii served as the Flying Jayhawks' first destination in 1970. In recent years, between 18 and 20 trips have been offered to members of the alumni association. And 1997 is no exception.
The preliminary schedule for next year includes journey to Russia, Italv, Alaska and Austria
In general, the trips vary in cost and length, the longest filling more than three weeks. Many of those with the time for the journeys are retired. Neuner said.
And next year's schedule also includes the second Big 12 conference cruise through the Panama Canal.
Dorothy McGregor, who will go on the Alaska cruise with her husband, Ron, said the vacations are "one of the perks of being retired."
She also said the connections among the guests are immediate.
"It seems like there's a great rapport that develops," she said. "Everybody's immediate friends."
Which is not an accident. Neuer said that, at least once a trip the travelers gather, reminisce and sing the alma mater. The alumni association helps by handing out prizes, KU stickers and other knickknacks.
"Anything anyone can do to spread the word of the bird," Neuner said.
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