Day in the Life: Josh Matthews
Battalion Commander of JSU ROTC
Toni Merriss
Issue date: 10/19/06 Section: Features
There are many choices in life to be made - but for some, the choices impact not only themselves but the entire nation. Throughout history, especially in a time of war the armed forces have looked to attract more volunteers.
For one person, this was not a hard decision to make at all.
Meet senior Josh Matthews, cadet Battalion Commander of the JSU Reserve Officer Training Corps (or ROTC).
Matthews, a criminal justice major with a security administration concentration, also serves as the Captain of the Ranger Challenge team for ROTC, which makes his already busy schedule a tad more hectic.
Coming to JSU four years ago was an easy choice for Matthews. He had initially looked into attending West Point, but after considering all the factors, such as having "a real college experience," he decided to look at Jacksonville State.
"I had heard that JSU had the best ROTC program around and, it was not too far from home so it sounded really good. What really sold me though were the facilities that were offered to students in the program," he explained.
So, coming to the conclusion that JSU was the best place for him, he packed up his things in Sardis, Al. and made the move.
Matthews was offered a four-year ROTC scholarship and upon his acceptance was thrust into the military lifestyle. (Well, a small taste of it)
From the beginning, Matthews excelled at ROTC. After his freshman year he was selected to attend Airborne School, in Ft. Benning, Ga. The next summer, continuing on the "fast track," Matthews attended Air Assault school in Ft. Campbell, Ky.
It is a very prestigious honor to attend both of these camps while still in ROTC because there are active military personnel that never get the chance to go.
The summer between his junior and senior years, Matthews not only went to the Leadership Development & Assessment Course (LDAC) in Ft. Lewis, Wa. but also the Cadet Troop Lead Training (CTLT) in Ft. Polk, La.
For one person, this was not a hard decision to make at all.
Meet senior Josh Matthews, cadet Battalion Commander of the JSU Reserve Officer Training Corps (or ROTC).
Matthews, a criminal justice major with a security administration concentration, also serves as the Captain of the Ranger Challenge team for ROTC, which makes his already busy schedule a tad more hectic.
Coming to JSU four years ago was an easy choice for Matthews. He had initially looked into attending West Point, but after considering all the factors, such as having "a real college experience," he decided to look at Jacksonville State.
"I had heard that JSU had the best ROTC program around and, it was not too far from home so it sounded really good. What really sold me though were the facilities that were offered to students in the program," he explained.
So, coming to the conclusion that JSU was the best place for him, he packed up his things in Sardis, Al. and made the move.
Matthews was offered a four-year ROTC scholarship and upon his acceptance was thrust into the military lifestyle. (Well, a small taste of it)
From the beginning, Matthews excelled at ROTC. After his freshman year he was selected to attend Airborne School, in Ft. Benning, Ga. The next summer, continuing on the "fast track," Matthews attended Air Assault school in Ft. Campbell, Ky.
It is a very prestigious honor to attend both of these camps while still in ROTC because there are active military personnel that never get the chance to go.
The summer between his junior and senior years, Matthews not only went to the Leadership Development & Assessment Course (LDAC) in Ft. Lewis, Wa. but also the Cadet Troop Lead Training (CTLT) in Ft. Polk, La.
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