Across the country, Nov. 11 is being celebrated as Veterans Day in honor of the men and women who serve or have served in the United States armed forces. The date is recognized in many countries around the world, originally as “Armistice Day” and the end of World War I—which officially ended “on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” in 1918.
At the University of Miami, some 30 cadets, both Army and Air Force, enrolled in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) eagerly await their chance to serve in the U.S. armed forces and to become the veterans of tomorrow. They rise before dawn for physical training, attend workshops during the day, and participate in maneuvers (sometimes even on the weekends) to hone leadership and military skills—even as they juggle their academic schedules as students.
Juan Flechas, a junior majoring in biomedical engineering, and Jillian Murphy, a graduate student in the School of Communication—both beneficiaries of a highly competitive full-tuition ROTC scholarship—are two of the cadets enrolled in this college- and university-based program that trains commissioned officers for the U.S. armed forces. Flechas and Murphy share their inspiring stories below.
Typically, University ROTC participates in a number of Veterans Day events, both on campus and in the community. But this year Hurricane Nicole prompted the cancellation of those events. The FTX, a full-weekend training exercise held at the Snake Creek Readiness Center, a Florida Army National Guard facility near Miramar, was also cancelled as guardsmen and women have been assigned to assist with hurricane recovery, according to Capt. Brian A. Geil, department head for the University Army ROTC.
Geil noted that that less than half of 1 percent of the U.S. population serves in active duty in the military and highlighted the dedication and drive of those enrolled in ROTC. “These cadets are amazing in terms of what they’re able to accomplish and their commitment and willingness to serve,” Geil said.
Juan Fernando Antenor Flechas Beltran, junior, College of Engineering, concentration in biomaterials and tissue engineering
Flechas grew up in Colombia and came to Miami with his mother and sister at 16 to finish his last two years of high school at Miami Palmetto Senior High School. College was out of the question without a scholarship. His counselor saw his potential and urged him to take the SAT. Flechas scored in the highest percentile, applied to 23 schools and was accepted in 20.
He was awarded the ROTC scholarship and other financial assistance from the University to defray living costs. The chance to stay near his family sealed his decision to stay in Miami and attend the University.
With a concentration in biomaterials and tissue engineering, his goal is to earn his Ph.D. and then commission into the Army as a captain and serve as a senior scientist.
“It’s always been my dream to serve in the military and the U.S. Army has one of the greatest research centers in the world. That will help me achieve my goal of making a contribution to my community,” Flechas said.
Meanwhile, he has started an independent research project studying the impact of gene particles on spinal cord injuries seeking to cure paralysis through the NeuSTEM research group, associated with The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Three days a week he does physical training from 6-7 a.m. and once a week color guard training from 6-7 a.m. Thursdays are mini-training sessions to learn tactical training from the morning until 1 p.m. He takes an average of 19 credits per semester and is involved as a student leader with several organizations.
“With the physical training and my research, I’m really getting the best of both worlds,” Flechas said. “I’m attending a very prestigious university, and it’s important for me to get out of my comfort zone and to give 110 percent of what I can,” he pointed out.
“While I grew up with a lot of focus on being disciplined, the ROTC training has either shown me or helped me perfect a lot about making decisions and time management. For me, it’s about working hard to be the best and leaving a footprint behind,” Flechas added.
Jillian Mignon Murphy, graduate studies, School of Communication, public relations major
Originally from New Jersey, Murphy’s grandfather was a high-ranking sergeant major who was often away from the family for deployments. Murphy’s interest for the military sparked when she attended a college tabling event in Tampa.
She attended the University of Tampa as an undergraduate majoring in film and media, but thought the military wasn’t a possibility because of her career path. A recruiter assured her that it was.
Murphy worked and trained hard, went from the bottom of her class as a cadet MS1 and MS2 (the ROTC equivalent of first-year student and sophomore) to be able to compete for—and earn—the ROTC scholarship.
With her undergraduate degree in hand, the scholarship allowed her to enroll for graduate studies at the University of Miami, where she is honing her leadership skills as an MS4 and charged with evaluating the cadet juniors under her supervision.
“For me, it’s about putting my best foot forward and trying to stand out from my peers but also working with them,” Murphy explained. “I’m really driven to be the best I can and to be the best for others. As an MS4 (ROTC senior), it’s exciting to see the other side of what it’s like to be in charge.”
Murphy is in the process of deciding her next step, and she has a range of 18 military specialties she can choose from. Based on her studies in communication, she’s leaning toward military intelligence. As do other cadets, after graduation she has an eight-year commitment to the service, either active duty or a combination of active then National Guard or reserve duty.
“Life is short, and I’m excited to go and see the world and do some cool stuff,” she said. “Once you get involved with the military, you realize it’s not all about just the physical—it’s about the mental state and developing as a leader. I’ve really learned a lot about becoming a better leader and grown into such a strong-minded woman.”
Murphy is currently the battalion commander for the entire Task Force South, which encompasses cadets at the University, Florida International University, and Miami Dade College. Based on her scores and standings, she’s at the top of her class.
“I’m coming out of this with my degree, debt-free, and my career set up. After eight years, I can switch over to civilian. But right now, looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing,” Murphy said. “This is an exciting new chapter of my life.”
***Members of the Veteran Student Organization’s (VSO) talk about their experience in the military and discuss the history of the University and the military today from 6-7 p.m. at the Rock Plaza on the Gables Campus. A Q&A will follow.
