Army Lt. Col. Aaron Kalloch looked on proudly as Clarkston High School Seniors Derek Booker and Matt Horowitz signed the dotted line for Central Michigan University’s Reserved Officer Training Corps. (ROTC) program.
On June 9, Kalloch presented both students with a full-ride scholarship at the lacrosse banquet.
‘First of all they’re very impressive young men and well rounded. The key thing is they meet all the criteria we’re looking for, a scholar, athlete and leader, they provide all those types of things,? Kalloch said. ‘They’ve had a great experience in School and done really well here and possess the motivation to make it to the next level both in academics, but also to pick a career path that’s going to get them really far in life.?
ROTC is a four year program in ‘leadership development.? Each year students will be given more responsibility and in the end be evaluated to see if they have the capability to be an Army officer.
‘They go from follower to running the show to prepare them to go out for the force, either for active duty or in the reserve component,? Kalloch said. ‘It’s a compliment to the traditional program. When they’re in ROTC they wear the uniform in their class, laboratory and PT (Physical Training), but they’re a regular college student the rest of the time.?
Booker, who was on both the football and wrestling team, said he was excited about ROTC and was ‘going to take advantage of every second of it.?
‘My older brother was in the military,? he said. ‘It’s just a better opportunity for me to be successful in life.?
Booker’s father Russ is proud of his son.
‘He’s always been a good kid, got good grades, and loved playing sports,? Russ said. ‘He’s excelled in about everything he’s ever done and I’m sure he’ll do that in the Army too.?
His wife Victoria agreed.
‘It’s a load off our mind,? she said. ‘He’ll be set and he’s worked hard to get there.?
Horowitz who played lacrosse, said it was a ‘big relief? knowing most of college was paid for.
‘I figured it was a good way to pay for my college and have a sound career after college,? he said. ‘I learned I could become an officer and get officer benefits/payments with the ROTC and figured that would be the best way to go.?
Horowitz father Jon said he was ‘extremely proud? of his son’s accomplishments.
‘The recruiter told us there were 60 applicants at Central for the ROTC scholarship and he (Matt) was one of a handful of people that got it, I thought that was pretty cool,? Jon said. ‘I’m very excited for him. I think he’s got his whole future ahead of him.?