This year, seven students are participating in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Course (ROTC) through a cross-town agreement Augustana has with South Dakota State University (SDSU).

Effective since Feb. 5, 2009, the agreement makes it possible for students to begin their military careers while earning their college degrees.

"Only students who really want to be in the military join programs like this," Registrar Joni Kruger said. "It is not set up as a way for students to pay their tuition.  It is set up as a way for students who have an Air Force career goal to earn education assistance."

Because of the new ROTC opportunity, Augustana hopes to be more competitive with prospective students who factor in the program to their college experience.

"There were one to two students each year that had Augustana as their first-choice college, but since we were not a part of an ROTC program, chose to attend elsewhere," Kruger said.

The cross-town agreement establishes that Augustana will provide basic information in the college's schedule about the Air Force ROTC courses and will grant elective academic credit for ROTC coursework.

Under the agreement, SDSU provides students with uniforms, works with students who are unable to make it to specified lecture and lab times, and also gives students stipends and tuition assistance when possible.

"Students benefit from leadership training, and the opportunity to start their military careers as officers," Kruger said.

When the cross-town agreement was announced, then sophomore Lynae Fisher was immediately interested.

"I knew at some point that I wanted to join the military and since this opportunity presented itself, I thought it was perfect timing," Fisher said.

For Fisher, the desire to be a part of the ROTC program came largely from a family background in the service.

"My mom was in the Air Force and I have always had military as a part of my life," Fisher said. "I have seen what she has done and I knew that I wanted to give back to my country just as she did."

There were several reasons why Freshman Emma Knecht joined the ROTC program. She desires to serve her country and considered the benefit of earning a scholarship through the program.

"I also thought of the physical benefits and the discipline I would gain through the military," Knecht said.

Through the Department of Aerospace Studies at SDSU, the students enroll in Aerospace courses and Leadership Labs, where the cadets learn about aspects of the military such as codes of conduct, chain of command, dress codes and marching.

"I'm pretty much booked from 1 pm to 9 pm on Thursdays, plus my morning classes," Knecht said.

Fisher aims to stay involved with both the detachment and Augustana, which she says can be difficult for a cross-town cadet.

"It challenges me to keep on top of my school work, as well as to have good time management skills," Fisher said.

Being a cross-town cadet is especially challenging for junior Ryan Schuetz, who is also an Augustana football player.

"It is difficult to balance studies, ROTC and athletics," Schuetz said. "However, the ROTC program has been nothing but a positive experience for me.  My fellow cadets are great; they have been very flexible and understanding of my situation."

There is no obligation to sign a contract with the Air Force in order to be in the ROTC program until the end of junior year, or unless a student accepts a scholarship.

"Last spring I was awarded a Commander's Scholarship, which, when accepted, began my commitment to the Air Force," Schuetz said. "This includes the years of ROTC, plus a minimum of four years of active-duty service after graduation."

For Schuetz, the challenges of being a cross-town cadet are worth it to be involved in ROTC.

"I have always been attracted to the military," Schuetz said. "Military members are held to a high standard within society, which ultimately means that I, as a member of the Armed Forces, am required to hold myself to a high standard."

The cadets weigh the hard work against the opportunity to grow as leaders, and connect with a group of students they wouldn't otherwise meet.

"I like the fact that I can meet so many amazing people who are one day going to be protecting me and my family," Fisher said. "It is a great experience and I have grown as a person and a leader since I joined last fall."