Can Tunceli's experience in the UNC-Chapel Hill Army ROTC Tar Heel Battalion is grounded in a sense of camaraderie. It is through this community that Tunceli was able to thrive and will continue to do so in the United States Army after his graduation in May 2024. To learn more about UNC-Chapel Hill’s Army ROTC visit https://armyrotc.unc.edu/ or email armyrotc@unc.edu.
The UNC-Chapel Hill Army ROTC Tar Heel Battalion is forging the future leaders of the U.S. Army.
Cadets at UNC in The Reserve Officers Training Corps, known as ROTC, are full-time college students working to earn their degree and upon contracting, have an obligation to serve in the United States Army.
Can Tunceli, a senior majoring in peace, war and defense and the Tar Heel battalion commander, said ROTC is without a doubt one of the most friendly, open and inviting environments he has ever been a part of.
“I think the biggest thing that I've found in ROTC was a sense of community,” Tunceli said.
Tunceli’s interest peaked after having a speaker at his high school in Pennsylvania for Veteran’s Day. Once he found out he was accepted on scholarship for Army ROTC at UNC-Chapel Hill, he decided to officially become a Tar Heel.
“My whole life, I kind of knew I wanted to be a Tar Heel. Carolina Blue was always where I saw myself, and then I never really imagined I was going to do anything with the military.”
Tunceli sits on boat for a combat dive dock mission during his summer with Special Forces Underwater Operations Force.
Credit: Can Tunceli
This four-year curriculum is divided into two phases: the Basic Course (freshman and sophomore years) and the Advanced Course (junior and senior years). Additionally, Cadet Initial Entry Training is an alternative method for current UNC-CH sophomores, juniors or graduate students that can be completed in two years.
Cadets take classes normally including one elective and one Army lab per semester, involving hands-on fieldwork in and out of the classroom simulating “live situations,” like leading classmates through adventure training.
Three days a week, cadets are up at 5 a.m. for physical training on Hooker Fields, in which they perform exercises to maintain physical fitness. But ROTC is more than just the practices, technicals and training. It’s also about leadership, growth and developing yourself to grow into the military leaders of tomorrow.
“It's all geared around these fundamental principles that make you a better leader. And so they kind of just build on themselves throughout the four years,” Tunceli said. “And then, you know, by the time you're ready to commission, you have all these things in your toolkit that you're ready to take on to your future job.”
Tunceli said that the mentorship program in ROTC creates a family type of community in which every cadet can rely on each other by recognizing that everyone has different skills in different areas and is not afraid to ask for help.
“I think that's the biggest takeaway that I've gotten throughout the program so far is mentorship and how to effectively be a leader.”
Tunceli poses with Rameses and other Army ROTC cadets on the field of Kenan Memorial Stadium for the Military Appreciation Day football game in 2022.
Credit: Can Tunceli
Tunceli said a lot of people know what ROTC is but not who they are. He said he wishes ROTC could be more involved with the campus and even non-ROTC organizations to integrate more into the Chapel Hill community.
He thinks it helps build cadets up by interacting with more people and creating a closer-knit community within the campus, like his favorite memory, the yearly 9/11 stair climb, in remembrance of the lives lost and of those who sacrificed lives in the line of duty.
“And so it's a big deal for a lot of our cadets and that's a really powerful event to be out there with the rest of Carolina just you know, kind of climbing those stairs in solitude.”
Tunceli said that even if someone isn’t interested in contracting, there is still much one can do and invites those curious in ROTC to come to physical training and check out a lab or class session.
“I think one of the biggest things is I just wish people would interact with us more and take a chance on trying it out.”
Tunceli will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in May and branch infantry. He will attend the Infantry Basic Officer Leader course and then continue schooling, including Ranger School.
