The women of the Reserves Officers Training Corps can’t be visibly distinguished from any other female on campus.

They participate in sororities, marching band and other club activities. They attend classes and socialize just like any typical college student. But as one ISU professor pointed out, the drive and determination of these women makes them stand out.

“These women are extremely feminine, yet extremely physically fit by anyone’s standards,” said Marvin Meek, professor and chairman of the military tactics and science department.

“They have an incredible vision. They know what they want in life and that it is to serve something greater than themselves.”

About 35 to 40 females are involved with ROTC at Iowa State and Drake University.

“We have top academic students from both schools, with many women in the A- and B-range GPAs,” Meek said. “Typically, the females perform academically better than the males, as they are more focused and determined to get through greater obstacles.”

Ali Patten, sophomore in Spanish, had only positive things to say about being a female member of the ROTC.

“I have a military background within my family — my mom is an Army officer and I have always looked up to her — so that is a big part of the reason that I have gotten involved,” she said. “I have always been active and I love to be a part of a team, and this has challenged me to push myself further physically then ever before.”

Patten maintains a 3.4 GPA in her Spanish major and hopes to incorporate the language into her military future.

“I hope to use Spanish in the military branch of the Army after I graduate,” she said. “The Army will always be a part of my life, and within my future it is what I am the most certain of.”

Despite lingering stereotypes about women participating in ROTC, Patten insisted she doesn’t feel any sort of negative pressure from the men, or anyone else, to perform better as a female.

“The only pressure I feel is from myself to challenge the guys, and to be able to be right up there and compete with them is a great feeling,” she said. “They treat me like one of the guys, and that is how it should be.”

Meek agreed ROTC men don’t have any problems respecting the women involved with ROTC, and all participants are treated as equals.

“It would be hard for the men not to accept the women when they are sometimes literally racing to catch up with them,” Meek said. “Once these students get their degrees and join the military, their pay will be exactly the same, male or female. There has been so much progress in the military that a woman can do just about everything that a man can, which is a really amazing thing to see.”

At Drake University, freshman and international business major Mya Strohman has also chosen to be involved with the ROTC and shares many goals with Patten.

“The leadership skills I have learned are unlike any other sort of activity you can find on campus, and being a military officer will offer a very stable career,” she said. “The opportunities and benefits are also really good — we are even going to airborne school this summer.”

Strohman said women should learn for themselves about the military programs offered and to not listen to common public stereotypes.

“I would encourage all women to approach the ROTC with an open mind and not just pass it off as something just for men,” she said.

“There really are places for women here, positions available that will benefit the military itself as well as those who chose to be involved.”

Although those involved with ROTC have challenges to get through, Patten said anyone would be accepted and excel through the program.

“I would say that male or female, what we do is a huge challenge, both physically and mentally,” she said. “However, there is a place for everyone here, and with drive and determination, all talents and abilities could go really far.”

Meek emphasized the courage and determination women involved in the ROTC have in order to continue to be so successful with in the program.

“The military isn’t for everyone. In fact, many women are too afraid to even consider it,” he said.

“However, from those women who have chosen to participate, they have not only met the standards, but they have set them — from this group I see fantastic leaders of the future in the highest possible levels of this country.”