They’ve led troops. Traveled the world. Now, they’re navigating lecture halls, textbooks and deadlines. At Baylor, student veterans are discovering the challenges of college are battles of a different kind — and they’re not doing it alone.
Browsing: Baylor ROTC
When Baylor Army ROTC Capt. Bernard Sheppard first arrived on campus nearly two years ago, one of the first cadets who personally introduced himself was Baylor senior Jackson Balsavias. Sheppard said the St. Louis native stood out immediately as articulate and forward-thinking, exactly what Sheppard hoped for in a cadet.
“I remember as a cadet, seeing the wall of former detachment commanders … and wondering who the first female detachment commander was going to be,” Lieutenant Colonel Kimber Nettis said. “And here we are. I’m humbled and amazed.”
Each year, Baylor veteran students receive help during their transition from the military to college life through the Veterans Education and Transitional Services program.
In remembrance of 9/11, Baylor students and the general public joined Baylor Army ROTC to do a stair climb at McLane Stadium, climbing the entire distance first responders covered on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Cambridge, England, senior Cadet Sidney Gradney said this is the first time they’ve done this event, which had around 125 attendees.
After three grueling hours of competition, Baylor Army ROTC cadets overcame the cold and rain to defeat the Air Force ROTC cadets in a series of physical events and claimed the prestigious President’s Cup on Wednesday.
Baylor’s Air Force and Army ROTC detachments and Veterans of Baylor will host the first Waco Wounded Veterans 5K Run at 8 a.m. on Saturday at the Lake Waco Dam.
The cost to register is $30 for civilians and $25 for students, veterans and active military. Online registration is open until midnight on Thursday. Day-of Registration will be available as well.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicole Powers, who began planning the race last April, said she had two goals in mind: to raise as much money to the Wounded Warrior Project as possible, and to start a tradition that will last years after she leaves Baylor.
