A place of their own

The Utah State University Army ROTC has initiated many fundraising events to benefit others. Now, they are being rewarded themselves.

The cadets of the Jim Bridger detachment finally have an updated lounge to call their own.

The lounge in the ROTC building used to become nearly unbearably hot, even in winter, due to the heating pipes that run across the ceiling and walls.

The lounge is now equipped with air conditioning.

Along with the newly installed AC, the cadets were given a 40-inch flat screen TV and an Xbox360 as a reward for their work during previous fundraisers.

“We used to have an old projection TV, before we got the new one,” said Kevin Moultry, a senior cadet.

The lounge now has couches where cadets can get together after class, to plan events or just enjoy some time away from the rigors of training and class work. During finals week, the cadets can meet together in the lounge to study - away from the crowds at the library.

After the Tuesday ROTC class ended for the day, Cadet Zach Smith, a junior, was playing Xbox with two fellow cadets, while waiting for another class to begin.

 “It gives us a place to go when we have dead time,” Smith said.

Some cadets felt the lounge could have used new computers to add to the four existing ones. When cadets need to do research for an ROTC project or write a paper, they can use the computers provided in the lounge.

 “The lounge is great, but it gets crowded when we are trying to work on computers,” Smith said.

Moultry disagrees with the need for more computers.

 “We have computer labs all across campus,” Moultry said. “With the additions to the lounge, such as an Xbox, it gives guys a chance to hang out and build camaraderie. Beyond the usual structure of the military.”

Cadet Kade Cross, a junior, sees it as a benefit of all the work they have put in to help others.

 “I think it’s motivating, because we see the fruits of our labor,” Cross said. “We worked hard for fundraisers and now something has been given to us.”

Next door, the Air Force ROTC has a larger and better equipped lounge, with a pool table. The army cadets however, don’t mind the difference in size or amenities.

“That’s really ours too,” said Moultry.