With recent developments in Iraq, one may think the response rate for ROTC recruitment would drop. Think again.

From homeland security warnings to deployment of the transportation unit in Paris, response to ROTC recruitment at Eastern has only had a positive effect.

According to ROTC recruiter Maj. David John, the recent developments in Iraq have overall hit a nerve that has made a positive impact on Eastern’s ROTC recruitment.

“The recruitment rate has not decreased. If anything, more information is going out to prospective students asking what they can do to help,” John said.

Ryan Callaway, a senior political science major and ROTC cadet agreed with John, saying the program has only grown in response to these factors.

Military deaths have been increasing everyday and it is easy for one to worry that this could take a damaging toll on recruitment enrollment. John assured it is not a problem Eastern’s ROTC is concerned with.

“That has nothing to do with recruitment,” John said. “In the short term, the recent developments have no affect in that aspect.”

The first two years of being in ROTC is similar to being a student. After completing 60 credit hours, or when becoming a junior or senior, participants can become an ROTC cadet.

Because of this, John said, the ROTC members are under contract, which means they cannot be deployed.

“For freshmen and sophomores, it’s their choice to join, but they have no commitment to ROTC,” said senior speech communications major and ROTC cadet Jena Roarke.

“In order to be contracted, you generally have to be a junior,” Lt. Col. Lorenzo Smith III said, “but those who are not contracted, but are participating, will serve.”

Smith added it is more important to produce officers than it is to send candidates to fill the forces.

“These circumstances don’t affect us more than anybody else on this campus,” Smith said. “It just seems like we have more to do with it.”

The recent number of deaths has undoubtedly caused many parents to panic, which could be another added stress to military recruitment.John said parents have been calling to learn the terms of the contract.

“I have relieved countless parents that their children are not in danger, but they do have to understand that some days are worse than others. Things happen, ” John said.