Air Force ROTC Selects ORU’s Gabrielle Carter for Summer Training in Mississippi

Gabrielle Carter

Resilience—one of the five outcomes of an Oral Roberts University graduate—is a necessity for any ROTC cadet. And as a member of the Air Force ROTC, Computer Engineering major Gabrielle Carter is proving her resilience beyond the typical college student.  

As an ORU sophomore, Gabrielle started ROTC with a class of 52 cadets. That class has now been reduced to 20, with Gabrielle being selected to continue as a junior. Gabrielle’s selection is a testament to her resilience, but that’s only part of her story. Because each week, Gabrielle does more than just succeed as an ROTC cadet. She also travels 70 miles to Stillwater, Oklahoma, in order to participate in her weekly training and classes.  

“Despite the distance,” Gabrielle said, “I chose to participate in ROTC because I wanted to be able to make a difference and do something greater than myself. Through ROTC, I’ve learned more about being a good leader and follower, along with the importance of teamwork.” 

This summer, Gabrielle will be heading to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, to attend an 18-day long Field Summer Training. Gabrielle, along with 3,500 ROTC cadets, will be placed in a rigorous and unfamiliar training environment. This training, which will test Gabrielle physically, mentally, and emotionally, is required for all upper-class ROTC students, putting them on the path to earn their commission. 

“We’re praying for Gabrielle as she conducts her ROTC training,” said Ret. Lt. Col. Will Beck, ORU’s Military Liaison. “ROTC has helped Gabrielle grow personally and professionally, and I’d strongly recommend ROTC to any ORU student who has a calling to serve their country. As we move forward, ORU is placing a strong focus on military service and veteran education. This starts with our new Veterans Experience Office, which will be a part of ORU’s new Welcome Center.”

Students like Gabrielle, who have an affinity for flying and aircraft, gravitate towards Air Force ROTC, which is the only ROTC program that commissions Space Force Officers. As part of her Air Force training, Gabrielle is required to take Aerospace Science courses such as “Foundations of the Air Force,” “The Evolution of Aerospace Studies,” and “National Security Studies and Preparation For Active Duty.” 

These high-level courses, along with the summer training and weekly commutes, demonstrate Gabrielle’s resiliency in taking on tough challenges. But in facing these challenges, Gabrielle doesn’t think about herself. Instead, she’s focused on her faith and the people she’ll impact through her military service.  

“I am honored,” Gabrielle said, “to be given the opportunity to be able to defend and serve my country. I hope to be able to impact many lives for the better and share God’s love with people by serving and leading.”  

Learn more about ORU, ranked Top 5 in America for Student Engagement by Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Ed.