IUP ROTC Warrior Battalion is home to many fine young men and women who are dedicated not only the their studies but the persuit of becomming something greater... members of the greates military force on Earth. In this section you will find examples of this excelence and dedication from some of our best cadets, ranging from those who are about to graduate to those who are new to the Warrior Battalion.
Patrick M. Zang
Major and Minor:
(Please indicate if you have a dual major):
Majoring in Political Science with a minor in History
Hometown: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Ultimate Aspiration:
Make a career out of the military and eventually teach high school History and coach baseball
What are your plans for after graduation?
Enter the United States Army on active duty
How has your experience with the ROTC unit enhanced your life on campus?
Not only does ROTC keep me busy, but it has also opened up avenues for lifelong friendships.
To what locations has the program taken you? What did you do? What did you gain from the experience?
The program afforded me the opportunity to attend the United States Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia.
We want to know about some of the interesting things you do—in class, for extra and cocurricular activities, in social and volunteer situations.
I enjoy anything that keeps me active. Going to the gym and playing pickup football occupies a majority of my free time. I am also president of the military service fraternity, Rho Tau Chi (PTX), and a member of the IUP ROTC Ranger Challenge Team.
Tell us about any internship or practicum experience you’ve had.
My practicum experience is limited to the additional summer training that has been offered and required to me through the ROTC program.
Please tell us about any awards or scholarships you’ve received.
I have received numerous scholarships, including a grant from the Robert E. Cook Honors College, the Dr. Gordon Myers Student-Athlete Scholarship from Cumberland Valley High School, and a four-year ROTC scholarship from the United States Army.
If you were asked to recommend IUP to a friend, what would you say?
I would inform the individual in question of the warm atmosphere surrounding the Indiana community at large. While IUP itself is a rather large institution, it does not feel so in the least bit. The class sizes are small, taught by professors who are genuinely interested in helping their students succeed. The inviting academic atmosphere, coupled with the overabundance of extracurricular activities on campus, make IUP a desirable place to spend four years of your life.
Brooke Coslett
My name is CDT Brooke Coslett, Staff Sgt in the Bravo Company. I will commission in May 2012. And I am a member of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Army ROTC Warrior Battalion!
Major and Minor:
I am dual majoring in Political Science and Spanish with a minor in International Law and Latin American Studies.
Why did you choose that major?
This dual major will provide the opportunity for me to work with foreign and domestic relations and to effectively communicate with international figures.
Why did you decide to attend IUP?
IUP has one of the most reputable ROTC programs in the country; but that is not the reason I decided to attend IUP. The curricula, the people, and the environment have greatly influenced my choice upon the decision of this university.
Why did you decide to join the ROTC Program?
I’ve always been intrigued by the military; however, it wasn’t until Major Coleman spoke during freshman orientation that I truly realized that the army is for me. The military is the most obliging profession for decent people who crave adventure.
Ultimate Aspiration:
What are your plans for after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to work with Civil Affairs.
How has your experience with the ROTC unit enhanced your life on campus?
ROTC has better helped me to become the person I am today. It has enhanced my personality through discipline, endurance, and the people in the program. This experience has lead me to become a leader, for I know that a good leader shall always stand by their men and by the ethics of the United States Military.
To what locations has the program taken you? What did you do? What did you gain from the experience?
I am a member of the Cannon Crew and the Honor Guard in the ROTC program.
ROTC has taken me to places I have never known before. It has introduced me to new people and places I have never previously encountered. I have conversed with veterans, some of whom are generals in the United States Army. Every semester, the Battalion has a weekend warrior survivor operation. There, we would tie a Suisse harness, repel from a forty-foot tower, and play war games. Then we would have canoe races and cross the lagoon from a rope.
We want to know about some of the interesting things you do—in class, for extra and cocurricular activities, in social and volunteer situations.
I am a member of the Spanish Club and the Language Culture Exchange Club. I’m the social chair person for the French Club, and am involved with the International Business Association. The time and effort I invest in these programs is worth it; for instance, I have raised money for the French Club by hosting a French movie night and French culture dance night, and have met people in this club from many francophone countries.
Have you studied abroad? Where was it?
This summer, I will participate in the Costa Rica Study-Abroad program at La Universidad Nacional in Heredia, Costa Rica.
Please tell us about any awards or scholarships you’ve received.
I have a 3.5 year Army ROTC scholarship.
If you were asked to recommend IUP to a friend, what would you say?
I chose IUP because of their academics; when I first arrived at IUP, I was amazed by its distinguished buildings and atmosphere. My favorite place to study is under a big old tree in the Oak grove. I would say to anyone who is searching for the right school to consider this: If you want to receive a good education, meet new people from all across the world, and enjoy the splendor of nature’s four seasons, then this is the place to be.
Can you name a few things that you like about the ROTC program?
The bond that soldiers form is incredible and cannot be described unless you are a comrade. I never thought I would actually enjoy waking up at 05:00 to go to PT (physical training)! Now, whenever I hear the word bicycle, I think of calisthenics. The experience is like no other; in the ROTC program, I Suisse harness made of rope, learned how to successfully plot points on a military map, and acquired expert aim on an M 16 A2. But most of all, I have learned that duty, honor, and country is what defines who we are—an Army of one.
What was your first impression of the IUP campus and the ROTC Department?
I was impressed from the first moment I arrived on campus. It’s very inspiring to know that there are people who are just like you; people who want to learn and who share the torch of knowledge, people who have pride in themselves and their country.
Do you feel that IUP ROTC as prepared you for your next step in life after graduation? Why?
I know the ROTC program has and will continue to have a major impact upon my life. It has provided not only the necessary knowledge but also the mindset to conquer the obstacles life throws at me and to succeed with honor.
Why should you be choosing to be featured on IUP’s “Get My Story”?
I have often been told that a smile is all it takes to become a leader. I believe it is important to have charisma, but the missing ingredient that makes a good leader is someone who would walk beside their men the whole step of the way. Anybody can give orders—but who and why would anybody listen? It isn’t just about giving out orders and expecting them to be fulfilled. The leader must convince that individual or group of individuals to fulfill a duty and make it appear to be their idea, thus they would gladly accept the task at hand.
