FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. –
Katie Lacosta, an ROTC cadet at West Chester University, was among the cadets taking part in a recent field training exercise here.
Lacosta, who plans to join the Pennsylvania National Guard after she graduates next year, is commander of the Dauntless Battalion, which is comprised of ROTC cadets from West Chester University, Widener University and Drexel University.
Lacosta, a native of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is an MS4, or senior, in the Dauntless Battalion and has been in the ROTC program since her freshman year in college.
“ROTC has provided me with tremendous amounts of military knowledge in preparation to lead, as a commissioned officer in the Pennsylvania National Guard next year," Lacosta said. "It also has supplied me with life skills, mentorship, patience and strongly improved my decision-making skills overall."
ROTC is a college-based program that trains students to become officers in the U.S. military. After graduation, Army cadets are commissioned second lieutenants in either the active-duty Army, Army Reserve or National Guard in a variety of career fields including combat arms like aviation, armor, artillery, infantry or engineers, combat support and many other support branches.
Lacosta's experience as cadet has not come without challenge. She reports having to utilize mental toughness and resiliency when experiencing constant inclement weather and physically taxing field exercises. The most challenging part for her has come by way of willingly allowing others to lead her, and accepting situations which she has no control over.
Lacosta has not decided which branch she would like to pursue, but she is heavily considering military intelligence and adjutant general as her top two branches. This future leader is also a member of the rugby team at West Chester University. Balancing a heavy ROTC workload which includes physical training, field training and weekly in-person classes while participating as a student athlete has proven challenging, but feasible and Lacosta is excelling in both.
While serving as the battalion commander, which is the highest leadership role in her ROTC program, her cadre at ROTC and her rugby coaches work with her schedule to ensure she can perform at a high level in both organizations.