Leaders in the making: Army, Air Force ROTC cadets earn degrees while completing training

Cadets in the Army and Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps develop the leadership, managerial, organizational and effective communication skills needed to succeed. UW-Stout offers both Army and Air Force ROTC opportunities, in which students earn their college degrees while completing classes and training during the academic year.

Army ROTC Northwoods Battalionstudents learn leadership theory, time management skills, basic soldier skills, map reading and other skills from experienced Army leaders. UW-Stout has a long-standing agreement with the Air Force ROTCprogram at University of St. Thomas, Detachment 410, in St. Paul - a unique agreement among Wisconsin universities.

This "cross-town" agreement allows UW-Stout students to enroll in Air Force ROTC classes while completing their degrees at UW-Stout. Courses at St. Thomasinclude aerospace studies, leadership labs, physical training and field training.

Cadets who complete the ROTC program and earn their degrees are commissioned as second lieutenants and begin their careers in the Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserves, Air Force or Space Force. More than 100 lieutenants have commissioned from the UW-Stout Army ROTC Northwoods Battalion since the program began in 2005. There are currently 65 cadets at St. Thomas, Detachment 410.

UW-Stout also offers a military leadership minor, open to all students, regardless of military or civilian background.

UW-Stout's Veteran Servicescan provide advice on veteran and military education benefits and assist with applying for benefits. Veteran Services can be reached by calling (715)232-1659 or emailing [email protected].

Recognized by MilitaryFriendly.com for more than 15 years, UW-Stout was designated a Gold Status Military Friendly® School for 2024-2025 and a 2024-2025 Military Friendly Spouse School. It also was named a 2024 Best for Vets College by Military Times, ranking No. 1 among Wisconsin public universities and in the Top 15 in the Midwest.

MS3 Cadet Mason Louwagie, Army ROTC

Since the beginning of high school, Army ROTC MS3 third-year Cadet Mason Louwagie wanted to either play football or join the military in college. "I didn't end up playing football, so I joined the military. I chose UW-Stout for its great School of Engineering. I liked the polytechnic aspectand it is semi-close to home," said Louwagie, of St. Joseph, Minnesota.

Louwagie, a junior and dual major in mechanical engineeringand manufacturing engineering, is Company Executive Officer this semester, assisting the Company Commander with organizational items and planning, and creating and teaching ROTC labs to younger cadets.

"Balancing ROTC labs with schoolwork, which is extensive as I am taking 18 credits this semester, has helped me develop better time management and organizational skills," he said. "ROTC leadership training has helped me become more organized. There are quite a few files, presentations, debriefs and After Action Reports (AAR) to organize in a way that others can easily access."

Next summer, Louwagie and other third-year cadets will enter Cadet Summer Training (CST), a month-long camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He will graduate in fall 2027 and feels he has many options open for his career, whether on active duty or in the National Guard, mechanical or manufacturing engineering, or a mix between the military and engineering.

"I'm not sure where God will guide my life, but I hopefully am setting myself up for success," he said. "I hope to use my degrees to develop or improve something that can make an impact on the way we live our lives."

C/4C Vincent Moua, Air Force ROTC

Cadet Fourth Class Vincent Moua, a first-year mechanical engineeringstudent at UW-Stout, is a Foxtrot Training Flight Member at University of St. Thomas Air Force ROTC, Detachment 410.

Moua chose UW-Stout because of its connection with St. Thomas' program. His plan is to be either a mechanical engineer within the Air Force, working on aircraft ignitions and making system improvements, or a pilot, as was his father.

"My dad flew an F-16. He sparked my idea to join the Air Force," said Moua, of La Crosse. His father, Captain Thao Moua, 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, is now an officer and communication company commander in the Wisconsin National Guard.

Moua is in two training courses at St. Thomas - Heritage and Values, an Air Force studies course, and a leadership lab - covering lessons and projects in teamwork, communication and critical thinking.

"Being able to communicate clearly with people, whether in the military or in a team setting, is important. You have to be able to press deeper and connect with people - to look at the individual and not at the group as a whole," Moua said. "The courses also train you to plan out actions and to be prepared for anything."

Leaders in the making: Army, Air Force ROTC cadets earn degrees while completing training

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