Syracuse Sun

Growing up in Buffalo, Madison Kaifas-Steiner was accustomed to harsh winters. However, her time with the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Syracuse University during her studies at Le Moyne College presented a new challenge. The outdoor field training in Central New York's winter conditions taught her resilience and camaraderie.

“There were days we’d be out there in the snow, freezing, and I’d think, ‘What am I doing?’” Kaifas-Steiner recalls. “But honestly, those tough conditions built a sense of camaraderie and resilience. You learn to embrace the challenge—and maybe even enjoy it a little.”

While most ROTC cadets are from Syracuse University, the program also includes students from nearby institutions such as Le Moyne College and SUNY Oswego. This cross-town arrangement allows these students to pursue their academic goals while receiving military sciences education.

Kaifas-Steiner joined ROTC without any prior military background or family ties but was drawn by the opportunity to push her limits. Her journey led her from Syracuse's snowy fields to a deployment in Morocco as a medical officer. Now back at Syracuse University, she works at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF).

“I didn’t know what I was doing at first,” Kaifas-Steiner says. “I walked into ROTC with no military background, no family experience. I was completely lost.”

Her experiences in Morocco highlighted the importance of relationships between officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs). She learned valuable lessons from her platoon sergeant that continue to influence her career.

“I didn’t understand what they were talking about when I was in ROTC, but the officer and non-commissioned officer (NCO) relationship—how important that is—came to fruition in Morocco,” Kaifas-Steiner says.

As part of the enrollment and advising team at IVMF, she uses her insights as a first lieutenant in the New York National Guard to assist service members and veterans.

“This place changed everything for me,” she says. “It set the tone for my life, my family, and my future."

Kaifas-Steiner advises current ROTC cadets: “Stay open and stay humble. You’re never the smartest person in the room... Learn from the people around you.”

Syracuse University's Office of Veteran and Military Affairs encourages U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force ROTC graduates currently serving to share their experiences through its "ROTC Where Are They Now" campaign.