Bridgette Zuckerman never planned to join the Army. She grew up in an Army family and graduated from high school in Colorado Springs. Her mom and dad both enlisted and, by the time Zuckerman was starting college, her sister Briana (15鈥橧ntPhys) was already a cadet in the ROTC program at CU-麻豆影院.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a very challenging program,鈥� said Zuckerman. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 feel physically fit enough and it鈥檚 a huge time commitment.鈥�
But family tradition won out. Briana convinced Bridgette to give it a shot.
鈥淚 never expected to join, but I鈥檝e grown to really like it," she said. "If I鈥檇 never done ROTC, I don鈥檛 think I would be as strong鈥攏ot physically, but really mentally tough.鈥�
Once she joined, the Zuckerman sisters quickly became known as 鈥淏ig Z鈥� and 鈥淟ittle Z,鈥� the first pair of sisters in CU-麻豆影院鈥檚 ROTC history.
鈥淪he鈥檚 really good at giving me advice about the Army,鈥� said Zuckerman. 鈥淪he鈥檚 a mentor that I have built into my family. She鈥檚 already been through it all.鈥�
Zuckerman followed her sister鈥檚 recommendation and participated in a Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency (CULP) program the summer between her sophomore and junior year. A highlight of her ROTC experience, Zuckerman lived in Manila for a month and trained with Filipino ROTC cadets, while learning about the history of the area.
鈥淲e got to see the Bataan Memorial,鈥� said Zuckerman. 鈥淚 had more of an appreciation for it because I know a lot of people through ROTC who have done the Bataan Death March. That was a really eye-opening experience.鈥�
Participating in ROTC helped Zuckerman with time management, discipline and resilience, she said. It also helped her learn how to take initiative.
鈥淚 recently witnessed her run a rifle range,鈥� said Lt. Col. Aaron Roof, professor of military science at CU-麻豆影院. 鈥淪he was standing in front of about 75 cadets from various programs very clearly and confidently giving instructions. It was impressive. She has matured and developed great self-confidence, while maintaining her independent spirit. I couldn鈥檛 be more proud of a graduating cadet.鈥�
Zuckerman studied molecular, cellular and developmental biology. She branched Medical Service Corps for the Army Reserves and will attend Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC) this August to receive training specific to the medical field.
鈥淚鈥檓 really excited for Med Services BOLC,鈥� she said. 鈥淯p until then, in ROTC, I鈥檝e been learning the basics. When I go to BOLC, it鈥檒l be more specific to my branch.鈥�
Before she heads to BOLC, Zuckerman will complete EMT school at Saint Anthony鈥檚 Hospital in the Denver area. She plans to work as an EMT while she is in the Army Reserves, and, later, apply to physician assistant school.
鈥淪he will be a leader in and out of the Army,鈥� said Lt. Col. Roof. 鈥淪he is certainly not the stereotypical Army person, but the Army will be much better off for her service.鈥�
Zuckerman will be commissioned a 2nd lieutenant on Saturday, May 7, at 2 p.m., in the Old Main Chapel. She will be the fourth in her family of four to join the Army.
