By Katelyn Schrock
Contributing Writer
Years of dedication to the red, white and blue has proven worth it for ROTC contractor Timothy Hite, ‘o2. The former cadet has recently been promoted to major and said he is excited to begin the next chapter in his career.
Hite first became involved with ROTC when he attended St. Bonaventure 10 years ago. As a young man interested in the military, he was offered a contract with the ROTC and took the opportunity. Hite graduated with a degree in philosophy in 2002, but he knew medical service for the military was his calling.
“Medical, always medical,” Hite said. “I’ve been a firefighter since I was 18-years-old and an EMT since I was 19.”
With a passion like his, it was no surprise to learn Hite joined the university’s Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT). Working directly with security and the medical director on campus, Hite helped bring the program into the 21st century by updating technological aspects of the program.
“I’m the operational advisor for MERT and make sure we [the MERT program] follow all the policies and procedures of New York state,” Hite said.
Current ROTC members are proud of Hite’s promotion to major and all his accomplishments.
“I am very excited for Mr. Hite. He has worked very hard to get where he is today, and the whole battalion respects his work ethic and charisma,” senior journalism and mass communication major and cadet Leo Frazier said. “I wish him the best and congratulate him for making it to major.”
For one ROTC cadet, Hite has served as her guide and mentor since she began the program.
“Major Timothy Hite is actually who I have to thank for my ROTC scholarship at St. Bonaventure University,” senior international studies major and cadet Marissa Di Rocco said. “When I was first interested in ROTC, Tim Hite was the person I contacted for any questions or concerns. For years, if I had a question regarding ROTC, I knew that I could go to him and he would assist me to the best of his ability.”
Hite is humbled by the promotion and acknowledged everyone has a dream of being promoted in any given occupation.
“The fact that some officers sitting behind a desk that have never met me but read my record and had faith and confidence in my record to promote me meant a lot,” Hite said.
As major, Hite is now a medical team leader for an observer control unit in Liverpool, N.Y. His job is to observe units in pre-deployment training and certify them to go overseas.
Di Rocco said Hite promotion to major is a step in the right direction.
“I feel that Major Hite greatly deserves this promotion,” Di Rocco said. “He should be recognized for all the great things he has done throughout his military career.”
