While many people are just waking up at 6:30 a.m., these Army ROTC Stalwart cadets are already in formation – preparing to become the nation’s line of defense.

Their next stop is the classroom, and it doesn’t end there. Syracuse University senior and cadet Zachary Baxter says they accepted a new challenge this semester – joining the fight against COVID-19.

“Improvise, overcome, and adapt is a term in the Army,” said Baxter. “We’re definitely learning it here as cadets. Coming right from class to volunteering and sneaking a meal or something like that and then go study for a test.”

Baxter leads the group of 75 cadets volunteering with the University’s Public Health Team. They help with COVID-19 testing, making up about 60% of the workforce.

“We can get anywhere from 500-2,500 students through the Dome every day,” said Baxter.

The cadets have administered about 60,000 tests so far. If they aren’t logging them in the Dome, they’re pooling samples in the lab or giving support wherever it’s needed.

The Emergency Management Director says it wouldn’t be possible without their commitment.

“I think that’s the best part of the military,” said Director Joe Hernon. “You fight for something and defend something that’s more than just you. It’s something bigger than you, and I think every day they come out and volunteer, they go above and beyond what we ask them to do. It’s just another attribute to what makes a good military and service member.”

Baxter’s support travels miles. When he’s home from school in Rochester, he works part-time at the Monroe County Sheriff’s office where he helped with mitigation and contact tracing in the jail.  

Baxter says he’s not in the Army just yet, but he’s already fulfilling his promise to protect.

“Service is kind of in our blood, in our meaning -- any cadet or anyone that dons this uniform from any military branch,” said Baxter. “You got to be passionate to serve and I think that’s what most of our cadets that make up Stalwart Battalion if not all of them are.”

Baxter will continue volunteering until he graduates in May, when he’ll transition to active duty. Then he’ll carry out new missions, with the same mindset: to safeguard and serve.