Business major goes from the soccer field to Army ranks

A business administration major from Rincon, Georgia, will receive his degree and his commission as an Army officer during USCA’s commencement ceremony, Dec. 11.

Jaxon Whiddon first came to USCA on a soccer scholarship, but he leaves with no debt, thanks to the Army National Guard.

“The Bible says in John 15:13, ‘Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends,’” he said. “I always wanted to go into the Army, and ROTC provided the best way for me at the time.”

Through the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP), Whiddon participated in both the National Guard and USCA’s ROTC program. As part of SMP, he qualified for tuition assistance, received a monthly allowance and earned additional educational benefits.

“ROTC came to me at a time when I needed a change, and it provided me a chance to finish school and continue with college athletics,” said Whiddon, who served as USCA’s ROTC executive officer.

“It was difficult to balance at first, having school, athletics, National Guard responsibilities and ROTC responsibilities, but eventually it became easier. The biggest lesson I got out of my time here was nothing worth having in life happens from things going right. I’ve had things go wrong more times than I could care to count, but that’s when you just have to ‘ruck up’ and keep moving. Coincidentally, this lesson ties into how ROTC helped me achieve my goal.”

The growing Army ROTC program at USCA, known as the Pacer Detachment, draws students from all five colleges within the university. The Pacer Detachment is an extension campus of the Augusta University Army ROTC program.

USCA students can join the program in the spring of their sophomore years and progress as part of a 2.5-year program. Upon graduation, each student earns a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. 

“At USCA, we're not just training soldiers; we are developing leaders. The Pacer Detachment gives our students an on-campus path to commission as Army officers while earning their degrees. It's about empowerment, opportunity, and service. What excites me most is watching our cadets grow from students into commissioned officers ready to lead with integrity and purpose,” said Robert Murphy, executive director of military affairs and external programs.

In addition to the ROTC program at USCA, the Office of Veterans and Military Student Success assists students who are military veterans, active service members and military family members.  

Whiddon, who reports to Fort Benning, Georgia, for his initial training as an infantry officer, hopes to serve in the Army’s Special Forces.

For more information, contact us at news@usca.edu.