A cohort of Auburn University ROTC students perform training exercises.
Sam Kellett, a Wildlife Enterprise Management (WLEM) student in Auburn University’s College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE), says Army ROTC has provided him with an experience to serve his country while developing the leadership skills and discipline needed for a future military career.
Kellett joined Auburn’s Army ROTC because of a desire to give back to a nation that has provided him with countless blessings throughout his life.
“The reason I decided to join Army ROTC at Auburn is mainly due to my desire to dedicate part of my life to a nation that has provided me with so many incredible opportunities,” Kellett said. “I have always been extremely patriotic, and the military has always stood out to me as an opportunity to give back to our country and prove to myself that I can accomplish certain feats that put others before myself.”
Balancing the demands of ROTC and academics requires dedication and time management. Kellett’s schedule includes early-morning physical training sessions three days a week, military science classes and leadership labs, all while completing coursework within the WLEM program.
“Balancing Army ROTC with class is definitely not the easiest task, but it is something that becomes easier the more you analyze your end goal,” Kellett said.
One of Kellett’s favorite ROTC experiences came during a recent Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Fort Benning, Georgia, where cadets spent two nights and two full days training and living in the field. The exercise provided hands-on experience while reinforcing lessons learned throughout the semester.
His time in the outdoors also revealed connections between his military training and studies within the CFWE.
“After my recent experiences sleeping in the woods at FTX, I have realized that the ecology aspect of my major will definitely play a helpful role in my time,” Kellett said. “I really look forward to learning more about different animals and plants that I may come across and just building my overall knowledge of my environment when in the field.”
Beyond the physical and tactical aspects of training, Kellett says Army ROTC has helped him develop responsibility, accountability and self-discipline. He credits the program’s culture and camaraderie for creating an environment where cadets support one another while continually striving to improve.
“ROTC has taught me a lot about responsibility and holding myself accountable,” Kellett said. “I was really attracted to the culture over at Auburn Army ROTC because you realize pretty quickly that everybody around you is in it together, but at the end of the day it is up to you to show up and be your best every day.”
Following graduation, Kellett plans to commission into the U.S. Army and hopes to serve as an active-duty infantry officer. His long-term goal is to earn a position within an airborne unit and continue building on the leadership skills he developed during his time at Auburn.
Through Army ROTC and the CFWE, Kellett has gained valuable experiences that have strengthened his abilities, expanded his knowledge of the natural world and prepared him for a future of military service.
