As temperatures in the teens send chills through the morning air, Army ROTC cadets gather in Demonstration Hall, preparing for Wednesday's workout.
At 6 a.m., 30 cadets line-up on mats, using the buddy system to count and time their partners' crunches. Torsos swing up and down as abdominal muscles furiously contract in one-minute timed increments.
The morning routine is a product of lessons learned from past conflicts.
"After World War II, people came home, kind of relaxed, kind of got fat," says Capt. James Mazel, explaining many soldiers were in poor shape when they left for the Korean War six years later.
"You never know when a war is going to happen," says Mazel, an assistant professor of military science.
The brewing conflict in Iraq remains in the backdrop during physical training sessions. ROTC students continuously train for conflict - and the possibility of another war in Iraq doesn't change their mindset.
If the nation moves ahead with war plans, most of MSU's cadets would not fight in Iraq, he says. But cadets will apply knowledge gained from this conflict to prepare them for future conflicts.
Senior cadets are expected to conclude training in six months, making them eligible by contract to be deployed to the Middle East, he says.
"Most of them are using this conflict as a learning experience because their focus is on the next one," he says.
The cadets meet at Demonstration Hall three days a week to participate in a rigorous routine. For some, Mazel says it becomes a way of life.
Each month, students are tested to meet the Army's minimum level of physical fitness, based on timed sit-ups, push-ups and a two-mile run. The battalion commander sets standards for the cadets.
"The better physical shape you are in, the better you're able to handle stress," Mazel says. "You're better able to handle long hours and the physical demands that come with combat."
Cadets lay on their backs, legs scissoring in the air, "This is the most evil invention PT (physical training) crews came up with," Mazel says referring to the flutter kick, which works the lower abdomen. "I hate it."
Lt. Julie Crowley, a 2002 MSU graduate who completed the two-year Army ROTC program, will leave in three weeks to begin her officer basic training course at Fort Lee, Va., where she will be studying logistics and supplies.
Crowley could then be deployed to Iraq, but she says she isn't scared.
"The armed forces are here to protect the country and to protect the people," Crowley said. "It's part of your job."
Crowley said she has to be the one to take the initiative.
"If I'm not going to do it, who is?" she said. "Someone has to do it. You don't think twice."
Like all cadets, Crowley had a choice to stay in the Army Reserves or to go on active duty. With the nation in an economic slump, Crowley said she opted to enlist in active duty and secure a job.
"As a senior you're taking your economic classes and you sit there and understand some people have degrees and great GPAs, but they don't have a guaranteed job," she said. "Me, I have my job. I have my degree and I am ready to go."
Job security is also an attraction for political science junior Scott Pastor.
"I like the idea of having a guaranteed job when I graduate," he said. "And, in no small part, I desire to serve my country and, if nothing less, defend democracy."
Pastor has known his whole life that he wanted a job in the military and says he was a member of ROTC from day one. Since his freshman year at MSU, Pastor says he has changed physically and mentally.
"It has improved my ability to work as a team player," he said. "It has made me realize that to be a leader you have to be willing not only to do your part, but to take on and offer to do more than you feel your fair share is."
Pastor said he was overweight when he joined ROTC but now he is able to run two miles in just under 14 minutes. He receives up to $12,000 per semester for tuition, $600 per year for books and a monthly stipend of $300.
"I treat ROTC like a job," he said.
The Army ROTC usually has 10 to 15 students on full tuition scholarships, and the Air Force ROTC also offers scholarships for students. Both programs offer opportunities for students to challenge themselves and learn valuable leadership skills, pre-med freshman Jessica Wittbecker said.
The first-year Army ROTC cadet was enlisted in the Army Reserves for more than a year before she switched over to ROTC. Six weeks after joining, her reserve unit was on the list for deployment to the Middle East.
Wittbecker said she wishes she could go with her "battle buddies."
"It is my duty to go, but I am contracted now," she said. "Nobody wants to go to war, but you do what you are trained to do.
"This is your job."
