Makenna Sones | Banner From right: Cadet Bryanna Mora stants with Color Guard Joel Powell, Caleb Fink and Kendall Morris at the Sept.11 memorial dinner in Innovator’s Auditorium.
The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at California Baptist University has an atmosphere of motivation and encouragement, especially for the women who have been recruited.
Bryanna Mora, junior communication studies major and ROTC cadet, said there has never been a day someone told her she could not do something.
“I was nervous at first,” Mora said. “Being in the ROTC program, it is all about leadership. A female and a male both have the ability to lead. They both have the ability to give it all they got and show what they have. They’ve never made me feel uncomfortable, like, ‘well because you’re a woman you can’t do this’. It’s never been like that.”
History was made on Aug. 21 by first lieutenant Shaye Haver and captain Kristen Griest, who became the first female soldiers to graduate from Army Ranger School. The course is strenuous, testing both endurance and physical strength.
Mora commented on how the historical event has affected her personally and the women in her program.
“We have read about the two female army rangers and it’s very comforting and motivates me,” Mora said. “I believe it motivates a lot of other women,” There are women out there that want to serve side-by-side with their brothers in the military that are very dedicated to giving all they got.”
Capt. William Brookshire, assistant professor of military science and recruiting operations officer, said as the opportunities for women open up, those who are willing and desire to pursue it, should go for it just as Mora did.
“She’s a good person,” Capt. Brookshire said. “She is very positive and very hard working. She is one of the cadets that have shown excellence in the classroom and excellence in our physical training program. She has shown the leadership qualities and traits we are looking for in future leaders in the army.”
Mora said her mom was proud and supportive of her when she found the ROTC, since it allowed Mora to
get her degree and join the military.
“My grandma was a little afraid because my grandpa was in the Vietnam War,” Mora said. “She was a little sketchy about it, but now she is proud of me. She says my grandpa would have been very proud of me.”
After Mora graduates, she will be contracted to four years of active duty and four years in the reserves. She said hopes to be a military police officer.
Although being a part of ROTC can be challenging, Mora said she stops to remind herself who is in control.
“I just have to remind myself God gave me this opportunity for a reason and he is going to get me through it.”
Since being in the ROTC, Bryann Mora said she has learned a great deal about herself since she first entered the office to be recruited.
“I walked in the ROTC office as a shy cadet,” Mora said. “I didn’t want to talk to anyone, really. Then, I see myself three years later and I’m taking leadership positions and it has helped me boost my confidence and become more of a leader. They have shown us what loyalty, honor and duty is.”
