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Name: Alice Bechtol
Hometown: Everywhere, yet- no where.
School: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Zoology and Biological Aspects of Conservation, with an Environmental Studies Certificate
MS Year: MS IV
Alice Bechtol is a senior studying Zoology and Biological Aspects of Conservation, with an Environmental Studies Certificate at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and is currently an MS IV in the Badger Battalion. Growing up, CDT Bechtol was a military brat. She was born in Berlin, Germany, and has lived in eight different places her entire life, including the largest and smallest states. (Alaska and Rhode Island) The longest she has stayed in one spot (4 years) was when she started high school, in Middleton, WI. At Middleton she played the oboe in the symphonic band and orchestra and was in the Marching Band Color Guard. CDT Bechtol participated in Key Club and National Honor Society. At school she also played volleyball, basketball and was a member of the varsity soccer team, and in the off season CDT Bechtol played on a regional club soccer team. CDT Bechtol has one younger sister, Mary, who also attends UW Madison.
As a senior in high school she had a huge passion for soccer and wanted to play college ball. Soccer allowed her to stay in shape, meet new people, and she enjoyed the concept and efficiency of teamwork. Several long parent lectures and college tours later CDT Bechtol came to realize receiving a top-notch education was more important for her future than pursuing a sport. After she decided to go to UW Madison CDT Bechtol began looking at ways she could still stay active at school, and her sister suggested Army ROTC. CDT Bechtol thought she was crazy. Her? The Army? She read more about the ROTC program and the benefits of becoming an officer. All the reasons that CDT Bechtol liked playing soccer were all the reasons that she wanted to do ROTC! CDT Bechtol decided to apply for a 4-year scholarship, had her interview on the phone, got a call back a few days later, and was offered one!
CDT Bechtol believes that the ROTC slogan, "the smartest college course you can take", speaks nothing but the truth because there is no better program that prepares you for life after college and secures you a job. Balancing school work with ROTC was nothing new to her because of all the sports she played in high school, but she had to adjust a little to the heavier work load (Madison isn't easy!). She notes that some field training events conflicted with school, but professors are very understanding and it is not a problem to catch up.
To new cadets, CDT Bechtol advises coming in to the program with an open mind. You will meet a lot of new people, you will be busy learning a lot of Army disciplines, but you will never regret your decision. The military has so much to offer students and wants you to receive a great education.
CDT Bechol stayed busy in ROTC participating in several extracurricular activities: Color Guard, Ranger Challenge, Bataan Memorial Death March, Cadet Troop Leader Training Program (CTLT), Scabbard and Blade, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.
While not donning ACUs, CDT Bechtol enjoys intramural Sports (especially soccer) and exercising, fun arts and crafts projects, finding new music, and conservation work and exploring the outdoors.
Fun Fact:
CDT Bechtol has been tased, OC sprayed, and dry stunned. Not all at once, and NOT because she disobeyed the law!