By Jonathon Spalding

What do you think of when you hear the word “diversity”? Whatever it may be, chances are you learned of the word at a young age and it has been drilled into your head ever since. Generally, we think of diversity as one-dimensional, in only one context: the diversity of peoples. For Cadet Jay Hurst, senior Army ROTC Battalion Commander, diversity has evolved into a more personal endeavor.  

Jay graduated from high school in northern Virginia where his family was stationed; but with roots in Anderson County, Ky., he felt a definite gravitation towards the University of Kentucky and the Army ROTC program.

“I didn’t feel any pressure from my family to join ROTC,” said Jay, the son of a UK graduate and U.S. Army veteran, “I wanted to help people, especially while I am young.”

This past summer, Jay graduated from the U.S. Army Pathfinder and Air Assault Schools in Fort Campbell, Ky. During Air Assault School. Jay spent his summer days fast roping from helicopters and sling-loading cargo and fuel to complete a mission. Immediately following the Air Assault School, Jay was one of two cadets from UK to graduate from the Pathfinder School; a rigorous, competitive-based course designed to train soldiers how to provide navigational aid to military aircraft and coordinate air assault and airdrop units. As a testament to the ROTC program at UK, 50 students enrolled in the Pathfinder School and only 34 graduated.

A bond as strong as brotherhood is a force you can feel the moment you step foot in Barker Hall and Buell Armory. The connection and camaraderie that exists within the ROTC program also becomes evident when you hear Jay describe the relationship he has with his fellow classmates.

“My favorite part about being in ROTC is working with the other cadets… I think they are a phenomenal group of people and we are really tight knit compared to other organizations on campus.”    

As a senior, Jay’s primary job is to prepare and mold diverse leaders from the classes of cadets following him. Jay takes pride in helping new ROTC members find their niche in the group and seeing them grow. He urges his fellow cadets and students alike to explore all of the opportunities that the University of Kentucky has to offer. Through his advocacy to the university, Jay has become an ambassador for campus involvement because he understands the benefit of diversity and the value in variety.

According to Jay, “there is so much going on at the armory” that it can be difficult to force yourself to venture away from home base. As much as ROTC prepares cadets for the military, it is important to absorb disciplines in all other facets of life as well. Diversity of knowledge and skillsets is the best weapon to face any future challenges you may encounter, no matter the magnitude.       

During his junior year, Jay spent a semester abroad in Germany. “I was born in Germany, so I’ve always had an interest in it. I studied German growing up and I’d visited several times,” said Jay, “I really wanted the chance to hone my German skills and adapt into another culture.”          

Germany awoke, in Jay, the realization of what lies beyond the veil of familiarity. Jay described his goal of diversity in experiences. He spoke with conviction about the importance of stepping beyond your doorstep and discovering what the world has to offer.

After graduating with a B.A. in International Studies with an emphasis in Foreign Language and International Relations next spring, Jay plans to join the Army and be an infantry officer. Once finished with training, he hopes to be stationed in Europe, preferably Italy or Germany.

“The reason I want to be in the infantry is the same reason that I came to ROTC in the first place,” said Jay, ” I feel like it’s about the people. I want to do a job where I work with people everyday and I get to know them really well.”

For Jay, diversity means much more than just what we are taught in school. It means getting to know people different from you. It means getting involved. It means discovering what the world has to offer. To understand what diversity really means, all you have to do is explore what is beyond your own doorstep.