Army ROTC is practically a big club/team at Penn State, just with some deeper commitment and tasks. ROTC is demanding with time, but most clubs and teams have that similarity. What sets the Nittany Lion Battalion apart is the experiences within the program. In this blog, I’ll give you a detailed look at the different opportunities that cadets get a chance to be a part. Before we go into the different clubs/organizations of the Nittany Lion Battalion, there is a concept that I should explain, OML(Order of Merit list) points. OML is one of the most crucial parts of a cadet’s success because it can be the deciding factor on whether they go to Airborne school or if they branch active duty, national guard, or Army Reserves. According to the U.S. Army Cadet Command, the “top 10% of National OML guarantees First Active Duty Branch Preference.” (USACC) The OML process is practically based on the well-rounded ideal (Scholar/Athlete/Leader), which is broken down to academics, PMS (professor of military science) evaluation, LDAC (Leader Development and Assessment Course) performance, cadet training, APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test), athletics, swimming, and extracurricular activities. Therefore, clubs within Army ROTC programs add to OML points, which is why its important for cadets to participate in these clubs.

Ranger Club: This club is the most physically demanding out of all the clubs, but being on that team is automatic respect. It has more intense and diverse training that benefits the members in multiple aspects. Ranger club is more demanding in the sense of PT, a cadet in this club has PT 0530-0700 Monday-Friday instead of only having it Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Being a part of this club allows cadets to do more training and opportunities, such as obstacle courses, combat-oriented PT, fast rope techniques, rappelling, and so much more! This club also gives the chance for selected members to compete in ROTC competitions like Brigade’s Ranger Challenge Competition and Sandhurst Competition.

Running Club: This club is just as it sounds… running. The club meets once a week for practice, which is usually a 2-6 mile run depending on the day. Running club looks to better cadets not only through running but through self-improvement and camaraderie. Cadets in the club participate in races/runs such as the Army 10-miler, THON 5K, and races big and small.

Cadet Recruiting Team: CRT gives the Battalion a better chance to have/maintain a constant flow of incoming cadets within the program. This is done by holding events and informing people on this great program.  You can find CRT in the HUB occasionally with an information booth or at sporting events. CRT reaches out to high schoolers as well to encourage a younger group to consider Army ROTC and the Army ROTC high school scholarship.

Kaizen: Kaizen is one of the numerous clubs at Penn State helping THON every year, but Kaizen is for Army ROTC cadets who want to help conquer pediatric cancer. This group helps for THON by canning, hosting fundraisers, asking for donations, attending THON 5K, and hosting Ruck for A Cure. This all leads up to THON’s huge event in BJC with 46 hours of no sleep and all dance.

Lion’s Guard: This club’s main goal is to give desiring cadet’s the proper knowledge/practice of Army drill and ceremony and Color Guards. Lion’s Guard can be seen doing color guards at Penn States sporting events like football, volleyball, and hockey. The most famous task of Lion’s Guard being the tradition of guarding the lion shrine during homecoming week.

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