Forged in Snow: How Syracuse ROTC Shaped a Career of Service
Growing up in Buffalo, Madison Kaifas-Steiner was no stranger to the bitter cold and snow-filled winters of Central New York. But when she joined Syracuse University’s cross-town Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program during her time at Le Moyne College, she discovered that Central New York winters hit differently—especially during outdoor field training.
“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 cadets in the Army ROTC program are Syracuse University students, a handful come from nearby colleges and universities. Through the cross-town program, Syracuse University hosts cadets from Le Moyne College, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, SUNY Oswego, Morrisville State College and Onondaga Community College. This arrangement allows students to pursue their academic goals while gaining the military sciences education needed for their careers.
Kaifas-Steiner didn’t have a military background or family ties to guide her decision to serve. Yet, something about ROTC drew her in, offering the chance to push her limits and pursue something bigger than herself. What began as a leap of faith soon became a transformative journey, leading Madison from the snowy fields of Syracuse to a deployment in Morocco as a medical officer—and eventually back to Syracuse University’s campus, where she now 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.”
The lessons she learned as a cadet laid the foundation for her early career as a commissioned officer, though she admits some lessons required real-world experience to fully grasp.
“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. “I developed a really good relationship with my platoon sergeant (PSG). Now I talk to him all the time, and I just keep learning from all these different types of people.”
Kaifas-Steiner recently joined the staff at IVMF, one of the military-affiliated organizations in the
National Veterans Resource Center on campus. As part of the enrollment and advising team, she is often the first point of contact for IVMF program participants. Her experience as a first lieutenant in the New York National Guard gives her unique insight into the needs of service members, veterans and their families.
“This place changed everything for me,” she says. “It set the tone for my life, my family, and my future. I wanted to give back to veterans and keep learning from them, so the IVMF was the perfect fit for me.”
Reflecting on her journey, Kaifas-Steiner offers this advice to current ROTC cadets preparing to commission: “Stay open and stay humble. You’re never the smartest person in the room, and that’s a good thing. Learn from the people around you. You never know who you’ll meet or what opportunities will come your way.”
For Kaifas-Steiner, the ROTC program was more than a stepping stone—it was a transformative experience. “It forever changed my life,” she says. “The program, the people and the opportunities I’ve had since—I’m so grateful for all of it.”
Syracuse University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs wants to hear from U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force ROTC cadets who have graduated and are currently serving. If you’d like to share your military experiences since commissioning, consider submitting your profile to the ROTC Where Are They Now campaign. Your story could inspire future generations of Orange leaders, in and out of uniform.
