Taylor University’s Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program started in 2023 with a single cadet; now it’s base of operations for the Taylor and Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) ROTC programs as of Fall 2025.
The two units make up Charlie Company, which operates under Ball State’s Cardinal Battalion, Scott Oleson, admissions counselor at Taylor and Taylor ROTC liaison, said. An ROTC battalion is a unit that trains college students to become second lieutenants.
Taylor’s ROTC program started three or four years ago, Oleson said.
Taylor’s smaller, less-equipped and newer program originally depended on IWU’s program, which received more funding as a larger program, Oleson said. Cadets traveled to IWU for physical training, classes and labs.
Because of Taylor’s growing ROTC’s program, this is no longer necessary, Oleson said. He partially hoped to expand Taylor ROTC for this reason.
“I have lots of respect for IWU, but I just didn’t want my cadets traveling back and forth all the time,” he said. “That motivated us to dig deep and build the program.”
Since Oleson implemented full-ride scholarships through ROTC, the program has blossomed from one cadet to 14, he said. Ball State University helped Taylor recruit incoming freshmen. Today, Taylor’s program excels as the top-performing company in their entire brigade, Oleson said.
Meanwhile, IWU’s ROTC program has shrunk.
“Taylor’s administration is really supportive of the program,” said Joshua Talbott, junior mechanical engineering major and member of Taylor’s ROTC program. “IWU’s trying to shut (their program) down.”
As Taylor grew, the brigade decided IWU should travel to Taylor instead of vice-versa.
Talbott works as Taylor ROTC’s Battalion S1. This position tracks personal information for cadets: fitness test scores, weight, height and major. Talbott loves the leadership opportunities Taylor’s smaller ROTC unit offers, he said.
The small size also cultivates an intimate community.
“It's kind of like assigned friends,” Talbott said. “On average, I'm spending probably like three to four hours with ROTC people every day, and it's the same small group of people.”
Taylor’s cadets live life together, Talbott said. They train Monday through Thursday, practice on Friday, attend weekend events and complete after-school classes together.
The group’s shared Christian background brings them together, Tabitha Messick, freshman undecided in major and member of Taylor ROTC, said.
The group doesn’t just live life together. They persevere together through their disciplined regimen, Messick said.
Messick is one of three girls in Taylor ROTC. She hopes more girls join the program.
“We're kind of closer to each other than with the guys,” she said, “but it doesn't really make a difference. Obviously, they're more physically fit than us, so they can lift more, they’re stronger, they can run faster, but I don't really see a big divide.”
All of the cadets work hard, Oleson said.
Apart from waking up at 5 a.m. for challenging workouts, testing physical fitness and maintaining good grades, they rehearse training simulations. With fake guns, they’ve practiced clearing out classrooms in Reade that were in use and secured Euler. They’ve practiced navigation in Taylor’s woods.
Additionally, starting fall 2025, the cadets complete a minor in military science and leadership as part of the ROTC program, Oleson said.
“When you see a cadet on campus, know that they are going through quite a bit to be in the program,” he said.
Outside of training, the brigade competes in athletic competitions, such as 19-mile rucks and fitness contests with other ROTC brigades.
Taylor’s cadets are hardworking, eager to help and excited to serve their country in a God-honoring way, Oleson said.
In fall 2024, several ROTC students demonstrated this after noticing a motorcycle accident in Gas City en route to training.
“Our cadets were the first on the scene,” Oleson said. “They secured the scene, provided first aid, and directed traffic until the EMT’s and Police arrived.”
Nominated for a service medal a few months ago were cadets Andrew Ryan, Kale Brown, Ben Miller and Andrew VanHuis.
Oleson is proud of his brigade. He hopes to recruit more members in the future.
Messick encouraged anyone interested in joining Taylor ROTC to join. It’s worth waking up at five, going to bed early and missing out on Taylor’s nightlife, she said.
“It was a good decision,” Messick said. “I love it. I think everyone should try it.”
