Sarah Koch, a fourth-year College student, was recently recognized as a top 10 ROTC cadet in the nation.
The ranking, which is done based on order of merit, included 5,508 ROTC candidates.
Koch said she was surprised to find out she had earned the distinction.
“The way I found out was actually a cadet who graduated two years called me, and I had no clue what he was talking about,” Koch said.
The order of merit is based on a point system, in which points correspond to particular accomplishments. GPA, cadets’ physical fitness scores on the army physical fitness test, publications, presentations and awards and involvement outside of ROTC all contribute to the points accumulated.
The University also had eight other cadets finish in the top 20 percent of the cadet command list, which Koch said constitutes approximately 25 percent of the program she is in.
Koch partially attributed her success to her focus and drive to accomplish particular goals and work in fields she particularly enjoys. Koch is a in the Middle Eastern Language and Literature Distinguished Major Program.
She said a lot of the advice she gives to younger cadets, particularly first-years, is to stick to what they enjoy doing, so motivation can come to them naturally.
“A big thing I had to learn, as all first-years do, is to pick what you like to do, and that’s probably what got me motivated,” Koch said.
This strategy has enabled Koch to participate in numerous ROTC and non-ROTC extracurriculars throughout her University tenure.
She is president of the cadet association, an English-as-a-second-language tutor, a member of the Middle Eastern Leadership Council and a member of the Raven society.
Koch was also the sergeant and lieutenant of Mosby’s rangers, which gives distinguished first- and second-year cadets opportunities to learn extra tactics and partake in additional training.
In addition to participation in extracurricular clubs, involvement in ROTC and a focus on academics, Koch has completed research comparing the academic performance of Chinese boys and girls in a classroom environment, research she said motivated her to drop her original major of biology.
Koch’s abilities have been recognized by both her peers and seniors.
Calvin Wakeman, a fourth-year College student, described Koch as “driven and simply brilliant.”
“She is proactive about all her responsibilities and engages in them with all her energy,” Wakeman said. “She has one of the strongest work ethics I've ever seen as well.”
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Houston, a professor of military science, echoed Wakeman’s comments about Koch’s work ethic.
“She displays fantastic character and the way she carries herself is really a model for others I think that’s what stands out to me,” Houston said.
Koch attributed her successes to the success of the University ROTC program as well.
“A huge thing is the people more than anything, not only are the cadre phenomenal, but we have some of the best cadets here,” Koch said. “You don’t learn as well if you’re not around other motivated people.”
Houston said the ROTC program’s success has come with the cadets’ and faculty’s ability to work well together.
“We just have a great thing going here, just like the cadets have a great team, we have a great consistent team that’s been at U.Va.,” Houston said.
He also said the University’s location by the woods, as well as its academic rigor, allow the ROTC program to excel.
“Just yesterday we were out training in the woods by O’Hill,” Houston said. “Just having that training environment in our backyard is an advantage.”
The University setting helps mold cadets into “scholars, athletes and leaders,” Houston said.
After graduation, Koch said she hopes to become a Military Service Officer for four years, before joining the civil service.
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