The Stalwart Battalion at Syracuse University can trace its roots back to the earliest days of Syracuse University’s historic commitment to veterans. During World War I the Student Army Training Corps, which was the precursor to today’s Reserve Officer Training Corps, began educating students for crucial roles in military service.
Syracuse University’s ROTC program has since become the longest continuously running ROTC program in the country. Many schools chose to disband or suspend their ROTC programs amidst the height of Vietnam War protests, but Syracuse University continued these vital programs despite active protests on campus at the time.
With the inclusion of the U.S. Air Force ROTC program, Syracuse University is now involved in developing tomorrow’s military officers who will lead tomorrow’s troops through new and unfathomable challenges in an ever-changing world.
To learn about the impact Syracuse University’s military-connected alumni are having in military service today, the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs launched the “Where Are They Now” campaign, designed to showcase the incredible accomplishments of these military officers.
Army National Guard 1st Lt. Nicklaus Brincka ‘20
Nicklaus Brincka was an accounting major at the Whitman School of Management as a student veteran on campus. Brincka came to the U.S. Army ROTC program as a prior-enlisted soldier but says that his time with the Stalwart Battalion elevated his understanding of leadership.
Brincka now serves in a National Guard unit in Texas, where he serves as a Battalion Staff Officer headquarters in El Paso, TX.
“Through all four years at Syracuse University, I was given multiple exercises that have compounded my abilities and allowed me to succeed in leading soldiers at both he company and battalion levels,” says Brincka.
U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Amanda Troelstra ‘22
Amanda Troelstra graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences with a degree in Economics and a minor in Chinese Language. She’s currently serving in the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant in the Signal Corps with the 101st Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
She credits Syracuse University and the Army ROTC program for the success in her military career after her experiences on campus prepared her to handle a broad array of challenges.
“Being an active duty platoon leader has posed its challenges, but my experience and opportunities from ROTC have allowed me to stay flexible and adapt to the ever changing mission,” Troelstra says.
U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Jacob Donofry ‘22
Jacob Donofry was a cadet with Detachment 535 at Syracuse University while he was pursuing an undergraduate degree from the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences.
Donofry currently serves with the Air Force’s Global Strike Command as a Nuclear Missile and Operations Officer. Donofry heavily credits the cadre and instructors with the Air Force ROTC program for helping to shape him into the officer he is today.
“Detachment 535 was instrumental in instilling the discipline, empathy, and strategic mindset needed to lead and operate in today’s world,” says Donofry. “The leaders at Det. 535 shaped me into a resilient officer dedicated to taking care of Airmen, supporting their families, and being the competent warfighter that the citizens of the United States deserve.”
The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs will continue to highlight the profiles of these accomplished alumni, but to learn more about Syracuse University’s historic commitment to training and preparing tomorrow’s military leaders, visit the OVMA’s website and discover the rewarding possibilities available through the Reserve Officer Training Corps.