Even as the U.S. military continues to reduce the size of its forces, Iowa State’s proud ROTC tradition carries on.

The Army ROTC, better known as the Cyclone Battalion, held its activation ceremony last Wednesday in front of Davidson Hall. The Cyclone Battalion performs the official ceremony to activate the unit for duty during the school year.

Between ISU and Drake University in Des Moines, ROTC has about 180 cadets.

ROTC offers more than discipline, a strong work ethic and a stable platform, said Sgt. 1st Class Clifford D. Henderson.

“We offer the cadets a chance to learn a lot about themselves, and we offer scholarships, leadership and a challenging career after graduation,” he said.

“We have an opportunity to gain strong leadership skills and learn discipline,” agreed Trista Boyenga, freshman cadet majoring in political science. “Physical training is difficult, but in the end I know it will be worth it.”

Cadets of the Cyclone Battalion are free to choose a course of study; however, the cadets are required to take classes in military sciences that can be used as electives.

“More or less, it’s an introduction to the Army,” Henderson said.

Leadership is a strong focus of many ROTC cadets and their commanding officers, Henderson said.

“The Cyclone Battalion is run by the students. We teach leadership, and they perform leadership,” Henderson said. “Being in ROTC is not easy. It’s very challenging, but it’s also very rewarding.”

The first ISU Cyclone Battalion was founded in 1919, and the Armory was completed in 1921. The first group of six cadets graduated in June 1922.

Today, the cadets take part in a variety of university social events such as Clubfest, which will be held in the Memorial Union on Sept. 15, and the annual pre-game hype, the running of the Iowa-ISU game ball.

“The cadets will begin running Friday, Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. at Tama and will hopefully arrive at Jack Trice Stadium around 9 p.m. that night,” said Captain Lief W. Gunhus, adjunct instructor of military science and tactics. “Then on Saturday, Cadet Battalion Commander Jerod Madden will run the ball in the stadium to start the game.”