The idea started in high school.

It may have been due to the influences of former coaches or friends. Maybe it was the idea of helping other people, while serving her country, in her choice profession. But when Mallory Kusakavitch was planning out what she wanted her collegiate experience to be like, she knew she wanted two things; she wanted to play field hockey at a high level and prepare for her career within the armed forces.

So in the fall of August 2014, Monmouth University wasn't the only college campus Kusakavitch reported to. The Pittston, Pennsylvania native also commissioned into the Air Force ROTC program, held at Rutgers University.

“With the schools I was looking at for field hockey, I also looked at what the possibilities were for ROTC,” said Kusakavitch. “One of the options, since Monmouth doesn't have a ROTC program, would be to go to a branch campus, which was Rutgers or Princeton. But Princeton only had Army ROTC and at that point I was leaning towards Air Force and Rutgers did have the program which is how I ended up there.”

ROTC, or Reserve Officers' Training Corps, is offered at more than 1,000 colleges and universities across the country. There is not a commitment to serve the branch until entering into a contract during a candidate's junior year. Once contracted and following completion of the program, a cadet commissions into the Air Force as Second Lieutenant.

Kusakavitch's days are jammed packed; waking up around 4 or 5 a.m. to make the trek north on Route 18 to Piscataway to take part of classes and leadership laboratories, before turning around and heading back to the Shore in time for practices and/or competitions and more classes. Her schedule takes place twice a week and will become more frequent as Kusakavitch continues with the program.

All the schedule juggling, long days, and rigorous trainings both in the Air Force and on the field hockey turf isn't a solo mission. A strong family backing along with support from the coaching staff and team is important to the success Kusakavitch has seen. It also does not hurt that she received guidance from former Monmouth women's tennis standout, Farrah Smoke, who commissioned in the spring of 2015 following her graduation from MU.

“Farrah was a senior when I was a freshman so I got to have a little bit of interaction with her which was really good and helpful,” commented Kusakavitch. “She told me not stress because she understood what I was doing especially with her being a student-athlete and she said 'If it is something you really want to do, you'll be able to stick with it' so that was really helpful for me.”

“As I became more serious about it, my mom became more serious about it and now I think my parents are just really proud. The coaches have been really flexible and willing to help me out with whatever I need.” added Kusakavitch. “It's really nice having them on my side because it is really busy with both things going on, but it works out.”

Kusakavitch, who was a Distinguished Graduate and Physical Fitness Award winner at Boot Camp, is having a breakout year on the field, helping the team set numerous program records en route to its 14-2 record and MAAC Regular Season Championship. The forward has started four games, has a career-best eight points and three goals, while adding a pair of assists.

“Mallory is the person for us who brings a ton of energy,” commented head coach Carli Figlio. “She keeps everyone accountable; she has a voice for sure. I think one of the greatest things about Mallory is that she holds herself accountable and you can't really get away with things when Mallory is on the field.”

“Mallory's [life] game plan is impressive, just in general,” added Figlio. “For someone who is as young as she is to be as focused on what she wants to do and not just that but with the steps she has to take in order to get there is beyond impressive. For her to be as focused and determined about her future says a lot about who she is and her character.

Kusakavitch will commission as a Second Lieutenant next spring and has aspirations of being a flight nurse, tying her health studies major in with her aspiration of being part of the medical field.

But right now, her focus is to help the field hockey program win a conference championship and cap off one of the best seasons in program history.