From a young age, journalism senior Isabel Hermann dreamed about working for the FBI. After her freshman year, Hermann decided that the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps could be a good way to bridge the gap between her academics and her lifelong desire to work in intelligence.
ROTC allows students to complete military training while getting their degree and enter their branch as an officer after graduating. Every week, Hermann attends early-morning physical training sessions and classes on the fundamentals of leadership and military tactics.
After being scored against cadets nationwide, Hermann was selected to attend flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama, for two years. She will then enter into a 10-year active duty service obligation as an officer in Army aviation. She is looking forward to honing her skills and meeting other student officers.
One word that best describes you: Spontaneous
One thing you would bring to a deserted island: Knife
Your future plans: Attend flight school to become an Army aviation officer
One object you can’t do your job without: My teammates
A Cal Poly class that shaped your life: Intro to Digital Photography (ART 122) with Jefferson Clarke
Q and A:
Abby Gorman: How are you feeling about starting flight school?
Isabel Hermann: I’m definitely nervous, especially moving to Alabama and not knowing anyone there. But, I hope my Cal Poly education has prepared me for the rigour that I’m going to endure in flight school. It’s also exciting that I know I’ll be in a class with people my age who are in the same situation as I am.
AG: What encouraged you to choose flight school over going directly into active duty?
IH: I thought it was really cool that I could go from having no background in aviation and that the Army would teach me everything I needed to know. I really like school, so getting more education on something I’m passionate about seemed like a great deal.
AG: How did ROTC shape your college experience?
IH: I really liked the structure it gave me in my life. I am someone who needs to have a strict schedule, or else I won’t wake up early in the morning. It pushed me to challenge myself physically and mentally and learn about something new. It also gave me community and introduced me to a whole group of people that I never would have met had I not joined ROTC.
AG: What does training look like?
IH: Our early-morning physical training is mostly weights and running. Our weekly labs are where we go out and put everything we’re learning to work. Earlier in the year, we practiced drills on the lower sports complex. Now, we’re going into Poly Canyon, where we’ll run pretend missions and practice our leadership skills.
AG: What will you miss most about San Luis Obispo?
IH: Everything. It’s so beautiful, and everyone’s nice, and that’s not really the way it is in other places. Being surrounded by people my age, the beaches, the mountains. Everything about it is going to be really hard to say goodbye to.
For the final Peak issue this year, the Peak team chose to hold exit interviews with nine students on the horizon of impact. Whether it’s going pro in a less-than usual sport, starting a cheesecake business or transforming the music marketing scene, nine seniors in the class of 2026 stood out as those led by influence. Check out the rest of the features here.
