If you would have asked Lindsay Stone a year ago if she thought she would be part of Michigan State University’s ROTC program? She probably would have told you ‘no.?
‘I’d never thought I’d be where I am right now,? said the 2008 Clarkston High School graduate who just returned from a U.S. Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corp) Leadership Training Course in Fort Knox, Ky. The five-week program is part of the Michigan State University Army ROTC program.
‘It feels good to have done so much already,? she said.
Just prior to leaving for ROTC, Stone also pursued her Emergency Medical Technician certification (EMT) by taking supplemental courses through Lansing Community College while attending MSU.
With this certification, she is qualified in multiple life saving techniques, enabling her to work with emergency medical response teams and in emergency hospital care situations.
‘Since I was a kid I’ve always known I wanted to be a doctor, so becoming an EMT, I’ve just been itching to get some actual medical experience. Being able to work in a hospital with actual patients and everything has been really awesome for me,? she said. ‘ROTC gives me more leadership experience.?
In association with the 46th Armored Infantry Regiment at Fort Knox, her battalion was put through intensive leadership and military training including water survival, physical training, tactical skills, and night navigation.
During her time, she was also selected to serve as company commander and platoon sergeant.
‘I was nervous about it at first,? Stone said. ‘I’ve never really been in that leadership position.?
As platoon sergeant, she was in charge of 50 people. As company commander, she led 200 people, which she said was ‘nerve racking? at first, but she really got into it by the end of the day.
‘I thought it was awesome,? she said. ‘I really liked developing my skills as far as confidence.?
Upon graduation from MSU Army ROTC, she will earn the gold bar of a second lieutenant and eagerly plans to become part of the active Army Medical Corp., specializing in Emergency Medicine upon completion of medical school.
Prior to college, Stone considered the Naval Academy, but then set her sights on MSU.
While researching ROTC and finding it had a great program for people going for med school, she decided to pursue it. She also had a family tradition ? her grandfather and father are both army veterans, and her older brother served in the U.S. Navy. Lindsay is the daughter of Marlene and Keith Stone.
As far as her future is concerned, Lindsay is looking forward to continuing to get good experiences by being an EMT, going to med school, and becoming an emergency doctor, so she can ‘go overseas and help wounded soldiers.?