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Army ROTC Dreams Of Opportunity
by Sam Mitchell
Murray State
University, CST Public Affairs Office
August 3, 2023
At Cadet Summer Training, Army Cadets come from
across the United States and beyond to learn.
One of the Army’s
greatest strengths is its diversity and Cadet Rahul Khanal from the
University of Colorado Denver, shares how his story of duty and
pride has carried him across oceans to become an Army officer.
Originally from Nepal in South Asia, Khanal traveled to the
United States when he was 19 years old.
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July 22, 2023 - U.S. Army
Cadet Rahul Khanal, University of Colorado, Boulder, 8th
Regiment, Advanced Camp applies camouflage in preparation
for the next situational training exercise lane, known as STX.
The STX
prepares Cadets for the remainder of their time spent in the
field at the end of Cadet Summer Training. (Image created by USA
Patriotism! from photo by Sam Mitchell, Murray State
University, CST Public Affairs Office.)
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“This was the land of
opportunity. I was going to college, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in
information technology,” Khanal said. “I got a chance to join the
military through a program called MAVNI (Military Accessions Vital
to National Interest). I thought that was a great opportunity for me
to pursue my career in the Army.”
MAVNI was a program put in
place to allow easier access to citizenship for immigrants working
in healthcare or enlisted individuals with special language and
cultural backgrounds. Unfortunately as of 2017, this program is no
longer in effect and it is unsure if or when it will go back into
use.
“I enlisted in April 2013, as an aircraft pneudraulics
repairer. I was stationed in Hawaii, Germany, and Fort Carson,
Colorado,” Khanal said. “I got a lot of opportunities in new places
with new people. I’m planning on serving the rest of my career as an
Army officer. The United States gave me a lot as an individual and I
want to pay back by giving at least 20 years of my service.”
Khanal took his steps towards the officer route through the Green to
Gold program (Active-Duty Option) and is currently pursuing his
master’s degree in information systems with a concentration in
cybersecurity.
The Green to Gold program allows active-duty
enlisted soldiers the opportunity to complete their first bachelor’s
or postgraduate degree in order to commission as an officer in the
United States Army.
“Any individual who wants to have a good
career field with a lot of opportunities can find that here,” Khanal
said. “The Army paid for my bachelor’s and I’m not paying anything
for my master’s. I wanted to further my studies and to have a better
life.”
Like many others, Khanal is grateful for the Army for
having provided a passage towards success. Coming from Nepal, he has
a great sense of pride for his career path.
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July 22, 2023 - Cadets from 8th Regiment, Advanced Camp,
completed the first day of their field situational exercise
training on July 22, 2023. The STX prepares Cadets for the
remainder of their time spent in the field at the end of
Cadet Summer Training. (Image created by USA
Patriotism! from photo by Sam Mitchell, Murray State
University, CST Public Affairs Office.)
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“In Nepalese
culture, being in any military is a way to be praised, to be
recognized. You’re seen as having a good profession,” Khanal said.
“My mom is still in Nepal and any time she sees me in uniform, she’s
really happy and proud. I think that’s one of the proudest moments
for me as well.”
That pride is shown in more than just his
immediate family, commonly being recognized by others from Nepal
since it’s a sought after career path.
“A lot of people from
Nepal go towards the Army, whether it’s British or Indian or any
other kind. Being able to serve in one of the strongest militaries
in the world is a pride for me and my family,” Khanal said. “It
gives me the drive to go even further. I want to be the guy from
some small place ending up where you dream of.”
Being a part
of the Army has given Khanal the chance to approach his dreams.
These dreams are more than just his own, they are dreams that many
from his home nation hold for him as he continues along his path.
“When I speak to someone from Nepal, they all let me know that
I’m doing well, even more so as I continue towards the path of being
an officer,” Khanal said. “Being able to do that has been a dream.
Since I enlisted this was my goal, I didn’t know where I wanted to
branch like I do now, but I’ve known that this is where I wanted to
be.”
Like many others, the Army provides immense
opportunities for those who need to find their way. Whether or not
they know the path that lies ahead for them, they can rest assured
that they will get the chance to find and achieve their dreams.
“I’ve got a huge debt of gratitude to the Army,” Khanal said. “It
gave me everything I’ve got today, so I want to pay it back for as
long as I can serve. I would do it until they kicked me out.”
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