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It’s dark and cold outside, but he’s all smiles after dropping off his bag at Bellefield and then making the short walk to the Cathedral of Learning lawn for physical training. The grueling workout of cardio and strengthening appears fun for Starinsky.
A senior studying statistics at the University of Pittsburgh, Starinsky is the current cadet battalion commander for the Three Rivers Battalion (TRB), an Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) program. He is charged with leading his peers, 217 cadets from 14 colleges and universities in the greater Pittsburgh region.
"I've always been attracted to that atmosphere and grit: working out, hard work," Starinsky says. "I never had the skill or talent for collegiate sports, but ROTC was the next best thing. It’s been absolutely the best decision of my life.”
Functioning at this level wasn't always easy for him. During his first year at Pitt, he struggled to balance his schedule and responsibilities — until he sought help from TRB.
"Once you realize it's on the individual to ensure effective time management and that asking for help is OK, you become confident in your ability to complete tasks and know they'll get done 100 percent to satisfaction,” says Starinsky, who is from near Scranton, Pennsylvania.
"ROTC provided the camaraderie and family I was looking for.”
By 6:44 a.m., the rest of campus is starting to stir, and Starinsky returns to the ROTC offices in Bellefield — "the inner sanctum," one cadet joked — for a leadership meeting between TRB and Cadre, the commissioned and non-commissioned officers responsible for TRB training.
The group sits around a conference table in an office decorated with framed photos of former classes and a whiteboard that says "can or cannot — there is no try." They discuss fundraising events and budget, strategize about increasing efficiencies, and plan their newsletter.
Starinsky is mild-mannered but assertive. “Before ROTC, I was always indecisive," he said later.
While he presents his updates, a fire alarm test blares through the building, but he continues.
"It's the whole soldier concept and mentality," said Master Sgt. Matthew Young, a senior military science instructor, of Starinsky’s poise.
It’s 8:45 a.m. when the meeting ends.
Thirty minutes later, Starinsky joins nineteen other students in senior lecturer Cory Holding’s communications course. They’re tasked with introducing themselves and their desired professions. While most express an interest in STEM, Starinsky’s introduction is novel.
“I'm Matt, and I want to commission into the United States Army to serve my country,” he said.
As the cadet battalion commander, Starinsky is, in many ways, the face of the program. He resolves friction points at events and is the liaison between the company, commanders and battalion staff. His brother, Stephen Starinsky (A&S ’17), held the position five years ago — a first for siblings.
Despite the weight of his obligations, Starinsky says his greatest role is simply showing up for his peers. “One of the biggest parts of the job is being present,” Starinsky says. “It says a lot if first years come to you with questions. The fact that this happens makes me think I'm doing something right."
“Star Man” — as TRB members call him — has done many things right.
"From day one, he stood out in a crowd and proved he was going to be very successful in this program and the Army," said Christopher Boissonnault, TRB scholarship and enrollment officer. "During his junior year, his determination and effort was noticed by the entire staff and earned him the top leadership position in the program."
His peers agree, too.
"He's very humble and modest and has natural leadership ability," said Marlo Guastella, a cadet and senior psychology major.
Between Tuesday classes, Starinsky takes a short lunch and lifts weights, focusing on reps.
When he’s not exercising or fulfilling Alpha Tau Omega fraternity obligations, Starinsky can be found at home watching a movie. He proudly shares an app containing his rating scale for a thousand films.
But Starinsky praises TRB for his fondest Pitt memories, which includes time spent with other first-year TRB members at The Eatery following physical training during his first year. “We would be at this massive table with fifty students, just eating and having a good time.”
After graduation, Starinsky intends to pursue combat engineering in the Army. COVID-19 canceled his study abroad plans, but he still hopes to test his Korean language skills in Seoul at some point. Already, he looks back on TRB with fondness and pride.
"It takes a lot of courage and responsibility to sign the papers,” he said. “It's created a sense of purpose and instilled in me humility and ownership, which I hope to carry on in life."
— Kara Henderson
