What I Learned From ROTC
from Aarva Hosted by Eliot A. Cohen
Why would someone who never intends to go to war spend their mornings learning to march? Published on 3 July 2026, this reflection arrives as the United States marks its 250th anniversary. It moves past the usual civilian tendency to either idolize or distance oneself from the military, focusing instead on the quiet, practical wisdom found in basic training. The piece suggests that the most enduring lessons of leadership—like the rule that the person in charge eats last—are often learned in the mud rather than the classroom. It considers how grit and humility can change a person's understanding of service. A reflection on the leadership principles and character traits cultivated through the Reserve Officer Training Corps and the Army Reserve. The account traces a transition from elite academic environments to military training, emphasizing the value of grit and the humanizing influence of service on civilian elites. These personal experiences inform an examination of American military culture and its historical emphasis on reasoned rather than blind obedience. Read at source: The Atlantic For more features and details, visit aarva.app
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