Charles Kraft

OSU ROTC

Guthrie High School alum and now Oklahoma State University freshman, Charles Kraft, is a cadet in the ROTC program at OSU.

Cadet Kraft plans to make the military a career once he has graduated from Oklahoma State.

“I wanted to move from the enlisted side of the Army to the Officer side. I also want to change over to active duty rather than reserves. I plan to make the Army my career; I would like to be an Armor Officer (19A) and work with the Cav-Scouts as a PL (Platoon Leader). I would also like to continue to work in Fire and EMS on the side,” said Cadet Kraft.

In the short time Kraft has been a member of ROTC, he has participated in several activities from physical fitness training to arms training.

“As a cadet, I’ve been to Camp Gruber to compete in the Task Force Plane Ranger Challenge, which is a collection of events to test your basic soldiering skills like disassembling weapons and land navigation at night in unfamiliar territory, and for an FTX (Field Training Exercise). We repelled from a 50-foot tower and conducted land navigation during the day and night,” said Kraft.

For the cadet, it’s the people that make being in ROTC enjoyable.

“The thing that I most enjoy about ROTC is the camaraderie and the friendships I’ve made. I also enjoy all the clubs, like Ranger Challenge and the Military Science Club. Of all the organizations I’ve participated in, ROTC and JROTC have influenced me the most. If you’re a student and want to stand out from your peers and help your community and country, ROTC and JROTC are the organizations for you,” said Kraft.

Kraft said there have been a lot of people influence him and help him get to where he is today.

“I’ve had a lot of people in my life who have helped me and mentored me, but my very first mentors are 1SG Cameron Campbell and LTC Kyle Brede of the Guthrie HS JROTC, and Ken and Josh Heupel’s Football Program “Day of Champions” helped exponentially,” said Kraft.

In his free time, Kraft said he loves to work on cars and race motorcycles.

“I also like to work out with the boys and hang out with friends, and I am a deep-water scuba diver,” said Kraft.

His advice for students entering college for the first time?

“Your degree is why you are at college; don’t lose sight of that,” said Kraft.