(Sept. 10, 2021) Monday through Friday, ETSU student Carson Frizzell begins his day before sunrise – 5:45 a.m. to be exact.
By 6:30 a.m., he’s literally on the run. The ROTC cadet spends Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at PT, or physical training. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, he is part of the Joe Callahan Running Club.
Some weeks bring new adventures, such as this past week when he had the opportunity to ride in the UH-60 Black Hawk, which landed on the ETSU campus September 9. Frizzell and the other cadets were given a ride above Johnson City and Buffalo Mountain.
How does Carson describe this moment? In one word: Exhilarating!
“It was definitely one of the highlights of my year. Because of COVID-19, we did not get to do this last year, but now that most of us are vaccinated, we are able to be together and do these kinds of things.”
The decision to get vaccinated was also a personal one for Carson, whose parents have health challenges that could be worsened by having COVID-19.
“I want to be able to see my family more than I have in the past,” Carson said.
This month, Carson participated in the ETSU Vaccine Challenge and his name was randomly drawn to receive a prize. He encourages others to be vaccinated.
“Personally, I recommend it,” he added. “There has been a lot of good research done. At the end of the day, it is an individual’s decision. If a person feels okay with it, then they should do it.”
Carson feels his desire to help others is why he is at ETSU, and it will be a guiding factor in his journeys following graduation.
“I have always felt a personal calling, which is why I decided to enter the military,” he said. Following graduation from ETSU, he plans to be commissioned as an officer in the military and possibly become an entrepreneur. Other future plans include eventually running for public office somewhere in the state of North Carolina.
Carson, who is a junior political science major, is from Waynesville, North Carolina, and says ETSU was in the perfect location – far enough away to allow him to be independent, but close enough for a quick trip home when he is homesick and wants to see his dad, mom, and dog.
He chose ETSU because it is “cadet friendly” and cherishes the friendships he has made through ROTC.
“By the time school started, I already had a group of friends,” Carson said. “Through ROTC, I have made my three closest friends – people who come from different parts of the world – and had I not come to ETSU, I never would have met them.
He said it is great being back together with them again, and that during the pandemic they stayed connected “through social media and the X-Box…staying up late playing games.” Carson admits it made him feel like a kid again.
Now he hangs out with them 24/7, and he also credits the ROTC program for helping him stay on his track toward earning a degree. He is especially grateful to Lt. Col. Kent Monas and Master Sgt. David Tirko for their support.
“Being in ROTC helps me remain focused on that purpose, and any time I have problems, they are always here to help. It’s a great support group, and because of them, I’m able to stay on top of things.”