Ever wonder what the daily life of a cadet consists of? The primary purpose of Army ROTC is to train men and women on campus the fundamentals of military leadership and to prepare them to become officers in the United States Army. Fundamentally, the U.S. Army is a unique institution that imposes distinctive demands and expectations on its people. The ROTC program at UW-Madison prepares Badger Battalion cadets for the unique challenges and expectations of Army life by duplicating, as closely as possible, a military environment. This means that your experience in ROTC will be very different from your prior college or high school experience. Also, as your time with ROTC progresses you will find that the ROTC program will begin to require more of your time and commitment. Here we have profiled cadets from each Military Science class in order for you to see what their daily lives and ROTC responsibilities consist of.
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
MSI
Name: Sam Veenstra
Hometown: La Crosse, WI
School: University of Wisconsin – Madison
Major: Political Science and Russian
MS Year (2022-2023): I
MSII
Name: Mitch Lafferty
Hometown: Madison, WI
School: University of Wisconsin – Madison
Major: Mechanical Engineering
MS Year (2022-2023): II
Hi, I’m CDT Lafferty. Personal interest and family influences brought me to the Army at an early age. I attended Culver Military Academy for high school which furthered my eagerness to serve.
Through ROTC, I am able to study interesting tactics and improve on interpersonal and leadership skills, while being provided with a fun environment of people who consistently strive to improve themselves. There are also great opportunities provided; this summer, I am working at the Army Combat Capabilities Research Lab.
On campus, I also compete on a division 1 level after walking on to the Varsity Crew Team. Putting in 20+ hours a week, this has given me the opportunity to compete for a top-10 program, be a part of a great community, and explore my capabilities physically and mentally. I also work with UW-Madison’s engineering professors on research and volunteer with youth tutoring clubs.
My advice to any future Cadet is to find what you’re genuinely interested in and excited about and fully commit to it.
On Wisconsin!
MSIII
CDT Benjamin Erickson
Hometown: Slinger, Wisconsin
School: University of Wisconsin – Madison
Major: Banking & Financing
MS Year (2022-2023): III
Hi, I’m Ben Erickson from Slinger, Wisconsin.
I joined Army ROTC because I’ve always wanted to find a greater purpose that involved serving my country while building camaraderie with likeminded individuals.
I joined the program in the Spring 2022 semester as a sophomore. I attended basic camp at Fort Knox that summer to receive credit for the ROTC basic course and went into the Fall semester as an MSIII. ROTC has helped me develop my leadership, public speaking, task management and tactical skills. ROTC also helps provide financial stability in my life because of my scholarship and tuition reimbursement. I’ve been able to participate in numerous ROTC activities including Ranger Challenge. As a team captain, I was able to organize, train and lead the 5-person team through the competition where various military skills are tested. I also participated in Color Guard, and joined the tri-service Scabbard and Blade Honor Society which gives me the opportunity to interact with cadets and midshipmen from other branches of the military.
My advice to incoming freshmen is to take advantage of the many unique leadership opportunities that are available through the ROTC program. There is nothing else like it on campus and the skills that you learn can translate to any environment, whether it be military or civilian, the workplace or your personal life.
MSIV
Name: CDT Anna Leadens
Hometown: South Saint Paul, MN
School: University of Wisconsin – Madison
Major: Rehabilitation Psychology
MS Year: IV
Hi, I’m CDT Leadens. I am a senior this year and am getting ready to commission as a 67J, an Aeromedical Evacuation Officer, in the Army National Guard this May.
ROTC has helped shape me into a leader and has helped me learn how to communicate effectively and take control when needed.
As an MSIV, I have been the Master Fitness Coordinator this fall and have helped plan the cadet workouts each week. Although it is a large commitment, it has been very rewarding to see the workouts performed to help cadets max their Army Physical Fitness Test.
This past summer, I attended Cadet Troop Leader Training at Fort Bragg and the year before I went to the Cultural Understanding of Leadership Program in Thailand. These programs taught me so much about other cultures and what it really takes to be an Army Officer. I had a blast in Thailand.
On campus, I am involved in intramural hockey and volunteer regularly with Badger Battalion. I work at the Hilton Doubletree and the Overture Center in Downtown Madison.
My advice for incoming freshmen is to try and take advantage of everything that ROTC offers. The summer programs (CULP and CTLT) were very beneficial and fun for me and I know that other cadets have said the same. Dive into ROTC headfirst. You won’t regret it!