The United States' Armed Forces have played a costly role in the rebuilding process since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Because of this, the Armed Forces has seen a shortage and strain on military personnel nationwide, and a need for more officers and enlisted soldiers has arisen.

Earlier this semester, five UTM students made the decision to do their part to answer the need for soldiers and elected to join the U.S. Army.

Blake English, a junior University Studies major from Jackson; Kyle Harris, a graduate student from Jackson who is studying Psychology; Amber Bobbe, a freshman Pre-Pharmacy major; Robert Ridley, a sophomore Secondary Education major and Jacob Partridge, a junior Agriculture Business Major, recently signed contracts with the UTM ROTC department.

When these cadets graduate from UTM, they will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. Some of them will go on to serve their country in the active duty Army, while the others will either serve in the Tennessee Army National Guard or U.S. Army Reserve.

They said they realize that after graduating they may be called to go anywhere in the world and they accept these obligations freely.

Beginning Oct. 1, these newly contracted cadets, along with all previously contracted cadets, received a rather significant increase in their monthly stipend. This stipend is a monthly check that cadets receive just as a benefit of being under contract with ROTC. In the past, freshmen and sophomores have received $250 per month, juniors $300 per month and seniors $350 per month. Freshmen will still receive $250 per month, but sophomores now receive $300 per month, juniors $350 per month, and seniors $400 per month.

ROTC also offers two-, three- and four-year scholarships.

These scholarships will pay for tuition, fees and books.

If a lifestyle of adventure, serving your country, gaining valuable leadership training, and the financial assistance of one of these scholarships interest you, contact Capt. Stephen Jaco at 587-7682 or e-mail him at sjaco@utm.edu.