Newspapers / Elizabeth City State University … / May 4, 1993, edition 1 / Page 16
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16 The Compass Tuesday. May 4, 1993 Cutbacks mean less job security in Army; but improved chances for blacks, females By Tarsha Carter ECSU's ROTC cadets-like their coun- terpartsacross the nation—facean uncer tain future due to the current and im pending cutbacks in funding for the Armed Services. Although cuti»cks trans late into less job security for cadets, offi cials say conditions are now more favor able for minorities and females. "Because weareaccep>tingafewernum- ber of people, minorities and females are replacing the qx)tsnormally held ty white males," said WarrantOfficerLewisShidd, of Fort Brag North Carolina. "During Desert Storm, 11 percent of the guard personnel in the Gulf and 25 percent in Saudi Arabia were female, proving that women are capable partners in support of combat missions." ECSU's Captain Leodis Jennings said the cutbacks will benefitROTC programs at all predominantly black campuses. "There is always a real need for minori ties in the military," added Jennings, an assistant professor of military science. "20 to 25 percent cire in the enlisted mili tary and less than lOpercentareofficers." Etespite the benefit to minorities and fenrtales, ROTC officials admit that the leaner economic times translate into far 'The intent is to put out the people who really aren't qualified, the dead weight” Captain Leodis Jennings less job security in today's Army. "The intent is to put out the people who really aren't qualified, the dead weight," said Jennings. Jennings and other ROTC officers say the cutbacks mean more opportunities for younger officers, but point out that officers will have to work harder—and be more aggresive—to keep their jobs and to advance. "As we speak the Army is asking sol diers to leave or not allowing them to re- enlist so we can bring in the young blood that we don't have to retrain," said Cap tain Qif ford Taylor of Camp Ripley, Min nesota. "Therefore these cadets will have a job but it will be up them to tiy to keep it. There is always someone waiting to take your place." The cutbacks nwan many units wel come newly commisioned officers over established ones because new officersare trained with updated military tactics and therefore don't have to be retrained, ac cording to Warrant officer Lewis Shield, of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. "Retrainingof officers costs money and money is something the military doesn't have right now," said Shield. "If you don't perform up to the Army's expecta tions, you will be put out." The Army is vynnnowing out people by becoming more strict in job performance, physical and tactical training and weight control, said Shield. Captain Clifford Taylor of Fort Jack son, South Carolina said the Army used to work with overweight soldiers, giving them nrany opportunities to pass the P.T. (physical training) test. "Nowifyoudon'tpassttieP.T.test you be retested once. If you still don't pass it you v^ll have your pay cut or be dis missed from the Anny. That goes for everyone. "If you are not going to give 100 per cent, don't even think about promotions. Promotions are going to be harder to come by. Today's soldier is going to have to work hard all the time if he or she plans on being promoted." Jennings said today's cadets should consider ROTC as an opportunity, point ing out that he has been able to "elevate his economic status," through the mili tary. "We as blacks have to be better than others," he said. "We are not going to progress unless we are educated." ECSU currently has 47 students en rolled in its ROTC program, 20 female and 27 males. Cadet Dawm Conner said the believes her ROTC training and the resultant op portunities will help her provide a better future for her child. Cadet Reginal Barkley said the women he trains with help inspire him to work harder. "Cadet Clarisajamesand Cadet Diedra Bamsare two females who drive hard all the time," said Barkley. "They motivate me." Although the military is facing more cuts under the Qinton administration, the nvimber of ei\listees in the Armed Forces has remained stable. From 1987yo 1993 over 125,000peoplehaveenlistedi]i the Army and remained. ATTENTION! SOPHOMORES TRYING TO DECIDE ON A MAJOR AT ECSU: Have You Considered English? A Degree In English Can Serve As The Single Greatest Stepping Stone To Almost Any Kind Of Career One Wishes To Enter CONCENTRATIONS OFFERED: News Media • Drama • Irrtroduction to Speech Pathotogy MINORS OFFERED: • English • Spanish • French • Speech/Drama CAMPUS BOX 957 ELIZABETH CITY, NC 27909 Elizabeth City State University's Depar^ent of Language, Literature, & Communication Offers A Baclierlor of Arts Degree In Englisli CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS OFFERED: • University Players • Compass (award winning studsf* newspaper) • Viking (annual) • Phoenix (literacy & graphic arts publication) FINANCING AID IS AVAI^ TO THOSE WHO QUALlr CALL: (919) 335-3349
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May 4, 1993, edition 1
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