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).