Optimism is Brad Townsend’s mantra.
Townsend, a fifth-year senior and Army ROTC’s cadet battalion commander, reiterated the importance of a positive mindset when it came to choosing the military. A decision not based on the fact both of his parents retired from the military, or a dislike to the abundance of collegiate sports offers he received as a high school senior in Oregon. Townsend’s motivation came instead from the desire to polish his leadership skills in a role geared toward helping others.
Philip Vukelich | Blot
“This is kind of the ultimate selfless leader-oriented job, and I love it,” he said.
Townsend said he loves the three-days-a-week, early-morning physical training sessions, followed by weight lifting in the afternoon. Sandwiched between the two training sessions is a crunched 21-credit class schedule, which Townsend said does not chip away at his morale.
“I don’t stress about stuff like that,” he said. “I’m a really grounded, relaxed person.”
Executive Officer and Assistant Professor of Military Science Chris Greenleaf backed up Townsend’s claim.
“He is always very calm under pressure,” Greenleaf said. “He does a great job.”
Townsend has been used to taking on responsibility.
When Townsend’s father slipped in the snow and hit his head on the bumper of his truck, Townsend had no choice but to step up. The accident caused his father permanent internal ear damage that made balancing and hearing difficult.
“It really made me mature at a young age and quickly turned me into a caring man,” he said. “I am glad that I got to grow from that experience, since it really developed me.”
Like most ROTC programs in the country, UI has a mentorship program that gives the upperclassmen an opportunity to connect with, support and advise the younger members.
“When these kids get out, they are faced with an enormous amount of responsibility,” said Brad Martin, University of Idaho’s professor of Military Science.
Townsend said it was the camaraderie and hard work of the military that attracted him to the Army ROTC program.
“(It’s) a lot of hard work, but a great way to make new friends,” he said. “You spend every day with them. There is a great cohesion about it.”
Collins said the ROTC program works to keep their members in exceptional physical shape while teaching them strategic thinking. He said their focus has shifted from constant tactical training to developing leaders.
According to Martin, this switch is important because he knows anyone can be physically capable but still lack the mindset it takes to step up, push through and complete the mission.
Several factors, including physical performance, dedication to the ROTC, academic success and the ability to think and achieve like a leader all come into play when the department elects the next battalion commander.
Townsend fit the bill.
Having excelled in tennis and basketball throughout high school, Townsend found his gift for leadership and physical activity. He said he prides himself on never working an office job — an ultimatum he plans to avoid, despite the finance degree he has worked toward for five years.
“I plan to make the military my career,” Townsend said. “But I’ve also fought fire for four seasons, ever since I graduated high school, with the North Fork John Day Ranger District.”
Townsend will learn in November whether he will be sent to Alabama for aviation or Georgia for infantry. He has his fingers crossed for Alabama.
“I had no idea what I wanted to do until I read ‘In the Company of Heroes,'” he said of the book that got him interested in flying.
Until then, Townsend keeps busy with school, ROTC, going to the gym, spending time outside and intramural sports.
“I’ll play pretty much whatever people ask me to,” he said. “Physical stuff is a huge part of the military, so I take it very seriously.”