Saying ‘yes’ to opportunities prepares Weber State Army ROTC cadet to lead
November 9, 2026
OGDEN, Utah — Weber State University student Carter Claflin’s “say yes” mindset has led to three weeks of solo travel abroad, a month-long U.S. Army training course at Fort Benning in Georgia, and multiple competitive strength events.
“You just never know where opportunities will take you,” Claflin said. “Worst case, it doesn’t work out. But I’ll know I tried.”
Originally from Evanston, Wyoming, Claflin moved to Oklahoma before high school, but always knew he wanted to be near mountains for college.
The 23-year-old is studying construction management while serving as a senior cadet in Weber State’s Army ROTC program. He’s following in the footsteps of his dad, Garry, who graduated from Weber State with a degree in construction management.
“I haven’t always been the most outspoken or the first person to step forward, especially in high school,” Claflin said. “But the Army has really made me comfortable doing that.”
Claflin is a member of the Presidential Leadership Fellows program, a cohort of top-performing students who share their WSU experiences with others. He also spent two years on Weber State’s men’s rugby club, serving as the team’s secretary and interim president.
“I find myself naturally gravitating toward leadership experiences now,” he said.
Army ROTC cadets learn decision-making, management, strategy, and leadership skills. Upon graduation, cadets become commissioned officers in the Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard.
“What’s really good about Weber State is our size,” said Lt. Col. Benjamin Gillespie, military science department chair. “We have a good pool of cadets, so we get to commission a lot of officers. But we’re also able to do a lot of one-on-one mentoring and coaching.”
The Wildcat Battalion has about 90 cadets and encompasses three colleges: Weber State (the host university), Utah State University, and Idaho State University.
“Weber State cadets get to work and train with cadets from other schools,” Gillespie said. “It means you’re not only learning to work with others, but also sometimes learning how to work remotely, which really reflects the Army and the way the world is now.”
Gillespie said the battalion also has great support from the Utah Army National Guard. Just last month, the guard brought two Black Hawk helicopters to land in front of Lindquist Hall to give cadets a ride — a rare hands-on aviation experience compared to programs in other states.
WSU’s Army ROTC offers scholarship opportunities for students, including options for cadets pursuing nursing degrees. Plus, through state legislation passed in 2026, Utah ROTC cadets are granted resident tuition status regardless of whether or not they came from another state.
For Claflin, financial support, along with careful savings habits, has him on track to graduate debt-free while still enjoying college life. He’s received several scholarships, including the U.S. Army ROTC Four-Year National Scholarship and the Parson’s Family Scholarship.
Over the summer — in between testing his strength and endurance through a Half Ironman and strongman competitions — Claflin saved enough to travel outside the U.S. for the first time, exploring Ireland and the United Kingdom.
In December, he’ll receive his branch placement, which is determined through a competitive process based on performance. Claflin is ranked 67th in the nation — out of 5,000 to 6,000 cadets — which puts him in a prime position to secure his top choice of Explosive Ordnance Disposal. In this role, he would help locate, disarm, and safely dispose of explosives.
When he graduates in spring 2027, Claflin will be commissioned as a second lieutenant, and he said he looks forward to the opportunities that await him in the Army.
Someday, he also hopes to bring his leadership experience back to the civilian sector. When his dad eventually decides to retire from construction in Oklahoma, Claflin plans to be ready to step up and use his education to discover his place in the industry.
In addition to saying yes to all opportunities that come his way, Claflin’s guiding philosophy is to spend time around people who inspire and challenge him.
“You’re a reflection of the five closest people around you,” he said. “So seek those who’re stronger, faster, and smarter than you. It’s a healthy competition to make yourself better and them better. Find those people and keep them close.”
Author:
Rachel Badali, Public Relations Director
801-626-7948, rachelbadali@weber.edu
Contact:
Rachel Badali, Public Relations Director
801-626-7948, rachelbadali@weber.edu
