It looked like a scene from “Renaissance Man.”

The ROTC Army Cyclone Battalion kicked off its 82nd year at Iowa State with an activation ceremony Wednesday night in front of Davidson Hall.

“[The ceremony] establishes the new cadet chain of command for this year,” said Ryan Curl, public relations officer for the Cyclone Battalion and senior in art and design. “This gives the freshmen an introduction to the parade and ceremony.”

ROTC is led by seniors under the advisory of enlisted military officers. During the ceremony, the official colors of the Cyclone Battalion were presented and the new Battalion Commander was activated.

The ISU ROTC program involves more than 100 students, emphasizing “dedication, character and sincerity,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Marvin Meek, professor and chairman of military science.

Many freshmen take a military science class out of curiosity, said Joe Myers, junior in industrial technology. Students can participate without a contract until they’re juniors. Once they are contracted, students must participate in specified events.

Students who complete all four years of the program are guaranteed placement in the army or reserves. With a starting salary of $35,000, the students can leave college debt-free.

Many ROTC seniors this year are looking forward to the Reserve National Guard after graduation, said Myers, supply and logistics officer.

Older students in the program are quick to disprove the stereotypes ROTC has collected over the years.

“It doesn’t take geniuses or [physical training] studs,” Myers said. “If you aren’t physically fit, we can help you. We support each other.”

Meek said the ROTC is the best leadership course in college.

“[The students] don’t sit in a classroom learning how to lead,” he said. “They do it hands-on.”

Myers credits the program for his public speaking abilities.

“I was afraid to speak in front of people,” he said. “But ROTC lets you work in baby steps. I’ve stepped in front of 300 people and spoke.”

The activation ceremony also is the formal installation of the new battalion commander for the fall semester. The battalion’s new leader, Jami Clark, was selected for her GPA, leadership, performance and dependability. Clark, senior in industrial technology, was chosen as the third female leader in ISU history.

“Jami is the second woman in a row to serve as Battalion Commander here,” Meek said.

Iowa State’s ROTC is roughly one-fourth female, Meek said, while the U.S. Army has seven men for every woman.

“It’s different for some [men] who have already served in all-male units,” Curl said. “But they’re soldiers like the rest of us. If she says do something, we do it.”

Clark plays down the fact she’s a woman in charge of a male-dominated battalion.

“I’ve always been in the army with men,” Clark said. “This is just another challenge. I love a challenge.”