Runoff will determine SGA president and VP

By Emi Maruyama
News Reporter

Every Wednesday afternoon, Reserve Officer Training Corps students gather at MacGregor Park carrying load bearing equipment, M-16 rifles and 35-pound rucksacks to prepare for the Bataan Memorial Death March, which will be held in April at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

Military teams from across the United States and the world gather each year to participate in the nation's largest military memorial march. A team consists of a minimum of five people, all of whom must cross the finish line together to avoid penalties.

As many as 30,000 cadets are expected to participate in the 25-mile march on April 16.

Teams begin preparing for the event in early spring by doing several road marches, running and other basic physical training exercises. Since only the most motivated cadets apply for the march, they take the training seriously.

"Every ROTC member helps each other out, not only with the PT but with school work and other extracurricular activities," UH Cadet Randy McClendon said. "There is a family-type atmosphere in ROTC (so) that we can get together and build bonds by stressing teamwork, just like a fraternity."

The original Bataan Death March occurred April 9, 1942, after Japanese forces overwhelmed thousands of U.S. and Filipino service members responsible for the defense of the Philippine islands during World War II.

More than 70,000 American and Filipino forces surrendered to the Japanese, who marched them for days through a malaria-infested region in scorching heat. Thousands died, and those who did not became prisoners of war.

The march tests cadets' stamina, intelligence, leadership ability, teamwork and decision-making -- all skills that help them prepare for possible service in the Army in the future.

For more information on the UH ROTC program, call (713) 743-3875.