CLARKSVILLE, TN – Austin Peay State University’s Governors Guard Battalion has a long tradition of excellence, regularly qualifying for West Point’s Sandhurst Military Skills Competition and being recognized among the nation’s top ROTC programs with eight General Douglas MacArthur Awards. This year, the program is also being featured in a national marketing campaign that will highlight the opportunities available through ROTC. The Army Enterprise Marketing Office (AEMO) visited campus on April 17 to film the cadets in action for GoArmy’s website and social media platforms.
“We were excited to take on this opportunity, knowing it would be a challenge but recognizing the significant value for our cadets,” said Maj. Nicholas Kirschten, assistant professor of military science at APSU. “It was great to see the cadets willing to be part of something bigger than themselves. Each one stepped up, was flexible and showcased their individual talents very well.”
Kirschten said AEMO chose the Governors Guard for its accomplishments and high leadership standards. The cadets had about two months to prepare and took charge by developing events from physical training and knot-tying exercises to classroom footage and campus tours.
“There hasn’t been a dull moment since we started filming,” said Lt. Col. Khristina Allen, AEMO’s marketing officer lead for social and earned media. “We’ve had a glimpse of the entire day of a cadet, whether they’re in uniform or civilian attire, in class or during recreation. That’s important because one of the things we strive to show is that being an ROTC cadet doesn’t take away from the college experience – it enhances it.”
Cadet Kaleb Scott, a freshman broadcast media major, lived a distinctly college experience during AEMO’s visit by delivering a final presentation on American wartime battles – but in this case, the cameras were rolling. He said the experience allowed his group to demonstrate their knowledge under pressure in a unique situation.
“We had to focus on not letting the cameras get to us and still present to the class,” he said. “We spent a lot of time hyping ourselves up and doing positive affirmations because we didn’t intend to present in front of a camera crew. It was important that we paid attention to the presentation and showed the class our attention, so the key was directing our focus.”
Other students, including Cadets Alli Jordan and Obadiah Sieg, discussed their time in ROTC during interviews with the camera crew. Both were part of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) in high school and said continuing into the Governors Guard has benefited them personally and professionally.
“ROTC has helped me with communication and physical fitness, but where I’ve grown the most is in social ability,” said Jordan, a sophomore biology major. “I grew up as a very shy person, but you’re never really by yourself in the program. You do PT with other people, you’re encouraged to communicate in class and they provide a cadet lounge where you can study or hang out. It’s really helped me to open up and build friendships.”
Sieg’s involvement in the program has also fostered significant growth and allowed him to continue his father and grandfather’s tradition of military service.
“I felt the same calling to be in the Army, and overall, it’s been very beneficial,” he said. “I’ve been able to work on my nerves and anxiety, and whenever I’m in a difficult situation, I can look back on what we’ve done in ROTC and put it in perspective that I’ve been through this and can handle it.”