Leadership

Cadet Ashley Saucedo

• Hometown: Charlotte, NC
• Academic Major: Biochemistry
• Year in ROTC Program: Senior (MS4)
• Intended Branch: Adjutant General (Active Duty)
• Why I Chose ROTC: While serving on active duty as an enlisted service member, I was offered the opportunity to pause my service and attend ROTC. This program allowed me to continue developing as a leader while pursuing my academic and career goals.
• Favorite ROTC Experience: Competing for a slot to attend Air Assault School was an unforgettable experience. I learned practical skills like rappelling out of a helicopter and discovered the importance of interpersonal skills in building relationships with my peers.
• Hobbies and Interests: When I’m not focused on ROTC, I enjoy hiking, running, crocheting, and even tackling paperwork.
• Advice for Prospective Cadets: ROTC can be a valuable elective for building skills as a scholar, athlete, and leader. However, if you’re serious about pursuing a career in the Army, you must commit fully. Success requires more than your leaders believing in you—you need to embrace the drive to excel both individually and as a member of a team.

Cadet Gregory Carranza

• Hometown: Calumet City, IL
• Academic Major: History
• Year in ROTC Program: Senior (MS4)
• Intended Branch: Infantry (Active Duty)
• Why I Chose ROTC: ROTC provided me with a straightforward path to commissioning while giving me the time and space to reset and strengthen my mental state.
• Favorite ROTC Experience: Building connections with fellow cadets has been incredibly rewarding. I enjoy sharing insights about military life and helping others prepare for the expectations they might face in their careers.
• Hobbies and Interests: In my free time, I enjoy driving, sewing, and collecting military surplus gear—a hobby that ties into my passion for history and the Army.
• Advice for Prospective Cadets: If you’re committed to pursuing this career path, be prepared to embrace personal growth and transformation. The Army operates as a team, not an individual effort, and success depends on your ability to contribute to the collective mission.

Cadet Charles Dudley

• Hometown: Chicago, IL
• Academic Major: Business Finance
• Year in ROTC Program: Junior (MS3)
• Intended Branch: Finance Corps (National Guard)
• Why I Chose ROTC: I chose ROTC for the financial stability it provides throughout college, allowing me to focus on my education and future goals.
• Favorite ROTC Experience: I’ve really enjoyed the ruck marches, field training exercises (FTXs), and team physical training sessions. These experiences not only challenge us physically but also strengthen the bonds within our program, creating a true sense of camaraderie.
• Hobbies and Interests: Outside of ROTC, I enjoy playing basketball, hitting the gym, and exploring new restaurants.
• Advice for Prospective Cadets: Plan ahead, as the Army can be a strong foundation for numerous career opportunities. However, it’s essential to clearly define your goals and passions to make the most of the journey.

Cadet Sokoni Babb

• Hometown: Belize City, Belize
• Academic Major: Computer Science
• Year in ROTC Program: Senior (MS4)
• Intended Branch: Cyber (Active Duty)
• Why I Chose ROTC: I chose ROTC to help fund my education and achieve my goal of becoming an officer in the United States Army.
• Favorite ROTC Experience: My favorite experience has been going to the range and practicing marksmanship. It’s rewarding to hone a critical skill and see personal improvement.
• Hobbies and Interests: In my free time, I enjoy playing video games, challenging myself with chess, and spending time with friends.
• Advice for Prospective Cadets: Understand that ROTC will have its fun moments and its challenges. Focus on finding the positives in every situation, and as we often say, “just play the game” and embrace the journey.

Cadet Curtis Brewer III

• Hometown: Chicago, IL
• Academic Major: Criminal Justice
• Year in ROTC Program: Sophomore (MS2)
• Intended Branch: Special Forces (National Guard)
• Why I Chose ROTC: I chose ROTC as my pathway to becoming a commissioned officer in the Army and achieving my goal of serving as a Special Forces Officer.
• Favorite ROTC Experience: One of my favorite experiences was attending our Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. It was an incredible opportunity to connect with cadets from other schools in our program, build friendships, and gain hands-on experience in land navigation and weapons training.
• Hobbies and Interests: I’m a poet, semi-professional football player, and Tactical Games athlete. I also enjoy traveling, skydiving, shooting, archery, reading, dancing, and practicing meditation.
• Advice for Prospective Cadets: ROTC isn’t for everyone, but it’s a rewarding journey for those who commit. By sticking with the program, you’ll gain valuable wisdom, build strong connections, develop leadership skills, and learn the importance of teamwork in a dynamic environment.

Cadet Aliyah Potts

• Hometown: Chicago, IL
• Academic Major: ICP/Business Administration
• Year in ROTC Program: Junior (MS3)
• Intended Branch: Quartermaster (National Guard)
• Why I Chose ROTC: I chose ROTC to help me achieve my career goals in the United States Army and develop the skills needed to succeed as a leader.
• Favorite ROTC Experience: My favorite experience in ROTC was participating in Squad Training Exercise (STX) lanes and land navigation training at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. It was an incredible opportunity to work alongside cadets from other schools in our program and deepen my understanding of critical Army skills.
• Hobbies and Interests: I enjoy singing, reading, writing, and spending quality time with my children.
• Advice for Prospective Cadets: This isn’t a competition with others—the only person you’re competing with is yourself. Focus on how far you’ve come and where you want to go, both in the program and in life. Whether you ultimately join the military or not, life is what you make of it. Embrace this opportunity and make the most of it.

Cadet Marc Long

• Hometown: Chicago, IL
• Academic Major: Business Accounting
• Year in ROTC Program: Junior (MS3)
• Hobbies and Interests: Fitness, yoga, and playing chess
• Intended Branch: Air Defense (Active Duty or Army Reserve)
• Why I Chose ROTC: I joined ROTC to challenge myself both physically and intellectually. The program offers countless opportunities for self-development while teaching the values of leadership and service to others.
• Favorite ROTC Experience: My favorite experience has been participating in the Field Training Exercise (FTX) program. It’s an invaluable opportunity to strengthen team-building skills and gain insights into your personal strengths and areas for growth.
• Advice for Prospective Cadets: ROTC is a powerful step toward a rewarding career, but it’s crucial to approach it with a clear understanding of the responsibilities and lifestyle it entails. Remember, seeking help when you need it is a sign of strength, not weakness—don’t be afraid to ask for support!

Cadet Walter Smith

• Hometown: Chicago, IL
• Academic Major: Criminal Justice
• Year in ROTC Program: Junior (MS3)
• Intended Branch: Infantry (Active Duty or National Guard)
• Why I Chose ROTC: I joined ROTC to pursue my goal of becoming an officer in the United States Army.
• Favorite ROTC Experience: My favorite experience has been participating in Field Training Exercises (FTX). These events provide hands-on learning and help build teamwork and resilience.
• Hobbies and Interests: I enjoy spending quality time with my family.
• Advice for Prospective Cadets: Work hard and embrace challenges. Success in ROTC comes from getting comfortable with being uncomfortable and pushing yourself beyond your limits.

Cadet Aanicia Sutton

• Hometown: Chicago, IL
• Academic Major: Accounting
• Year in ROTC Program: Junior (MS3)
• Intended Branch: Aviation (Army Reserve)
• Why I Chose ROTC: After experiencing life in the Army, I developed a deep appreciation for the values, structure, and mission-driven focus of military service. This experience helped me realize that becoming an officer would not only provide me with meaningful responsibilities and leadership opportunities but also enable me to make a greater impact and align with my personal and professional goals.
• Favorite ROTC Experience: My favorite experiences are Field Training Exercises (FTX) and physical training (PT). These moments allow me to build strong bonds with cadets in my program and across other ROTC programs, fostering a true sense of camaraderie.
• Hobbies and Interests: I enjoy fashion, Pilates, fitness, chess, and reading.
• Advice for Prospective Cadets: Get comfortable with being uncomfortable—it’s the only way to truly discover who you are. Every new experience, whether in the military or in life, will reveal a different side of yourself. Don’t let intimidation hold you back; the greatest growth happens when you embrace discomfort and push through challenges.