FSU Welcomes Over 300 Junior ROTC Cadets for Day of Leadership and Learning During Military Appreciation Week
Students explored campus life and heard from military and university leaders about the possibilities ahead after high school graduation
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Fayetteville State University’s dedication to preparing future leaders begins long before students graduate from high school. This commitment was on full display Sept. 27, when over 300 Junior ROTC cadets from eight Fayetteville-area high schools gathered in Seabrook Auditorium for Military Appreciation Week. Throughout the day, cadets explored the connections between education, service, and community leadership, leaving with a stronger sense of the opportunities provided by ROTC programs.
Chancellor Darrell T. Allison and Maj. Gen. James P. Work, deputy commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps, attended the event, highlighting the program’s mission to connect students with higher education and illustrate the potential paths an ROTC journey can offer.
For FSU, the event also showcased its reputation as one of the nation’s most military-friendly universities and its strong partnership with Fort Bragg and the surrounding military community.
“Moments like this show cadets that they belong here,” said Cierra Griffin, Ed.D., assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment Management in the Division of Academic Affairs. “We want them to see Fayetteville State University not just as a place to visit, but as a place where their futures can begin.”
Leadership in Action
Inside the auditorium, Lt. Col. Daran K. Linthicum, chair of the Air Force ROTC department and professor of Aerospace Studies, energized the group with an interactive quiz and prizes. The excitement continued as Capt. Rachel Ledbetter, chair of the Army ROTC department and assistant professor of Military Science, led engaging warm-up drills and introduced senior ROTC students, who shared their personal stories about their experiences in their respective programs.
Ledbetter said the exposure matters because it gives high school cadets a clear picture of what lies ahead if they continue with ROTC.
“Cadet visits like this should happen every year,” she said. “The more cadets who come, the better. I enjoyed giving them an inside look at what our program is about and what they can expect from the Army. My hope is that they see why FSU Army ROTC is the best in the country and consider joining us when it’s time to choose a university.”
Among the schools represented were Cleaveland, Lakewood, Lumberton, Pine Forest, Rocky Mount, Seventy-First, Southern Lee, and Triton High Schools.
From Pine Forest, Senior Master Sgt. Johnnie Grove, military instructor, brought 27 cadets from the school’s Air Force Junior ROTC program. For him, the day reinforced what he tells his students every day about the importance of education and opportunity.
“Our goal in [Junior] ROTC isn’t to put cadets into the military services,” he said. “It is to make them better citizens. I tell my cadets like I tell my own kids, ‘Go to college.’ If the military is something you’re thinking about, ROTC is the answer.”
After Grove’s remarks, the focus shifted from lessons learned to life on campus. Bronco Ambassadors from the Office of Admissions guided cadets across the campus, answering questions and helping them picture themselves as future college students.
The tours ended at Lilly Gymnasium, where the Office for Adult Learners, Transfers, and Military hosted a lunch sponsored by Rieth Jones Advisors, offering the cadets a moment to connect before the evening’s main event.
A Celebration on the Field
Refueled and energized, the cadets made their way to Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium for FSU’s finale to Military Appreciation Week, where they cheered on the Broncos in a spirited football matchup against Virginia State Trojans. Excitement rippled through the crowd as cadets from Pine Forest Air Force Junior ROTC proudly presented the colors at midfield.
As the evening unfolded, the sense of camaraderie continued to grow stronger. Before heading home, the cadets were greeted with warm congratulations from Ward and Allison, leaving them with a sense of pride and a strong sense of belonging. That feeling carried into the stands, where everyone joined in celebrating a Bronco victory, 34-14 – a fitting end to a day of tradition, honor, and new possibilities.
At the university level, ROTC programs allow students to pursue a degree while receiving leadership training. Those who continue may earn a commission as an officer after graduation. For many high school cadets, events like this one show the pathway from Junior ROTC to the opportunities that university-level programs provide.
Ready to take the next step? Discover your future with Fayetteville State’s Army or Air Force ROTC by visiting their websites today.