Show Me Gold

Last week Southeast Missouri State University and the Missouri National Guard made a big announcement. Starting in the fall of 2013, a U.S. Army Reserve officer training program will be offered at the university.

The goal of the effort, called Show Me Gold, is to help fill the gap in the National Guard's officer ranks. In addition to taking college courses at the university, the 20 students initially enrolled in the program will also complete the necessary training to become commissioned officers of the U.S. Army Reserve. These individuals will serve in the Missouri National Guard.

While this is significant news for the university and Missouri National Guard, other students not enrolled in the program will also have a chance to benefit by taking leadership courses required of program participants.

In addition to the National Guard officer training program, the university also offers the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Southeast will celebrate its 40th year of offering the program this fall.

We have the utmost respect for all members of our military, and it's especially important to have men and women prepared for leadership roles when it comes to national security.

Congratulations to the university and National Guard for bringing the Show Me Gold program to Southeast.