It typically takes 4 years to
process Air Force ROTC training. In the first year, college freshman learn the
basics, from marching to knowledge about the Air Force to various leadership
styles. The role of these AS100 cadets is to simply learn as much as they can,
from both the sophomore AS200 cadets training with them, and from the
upperclassmen AS300 and AS400s who actually train them.
In the
second year of the program, expectations are increased dramatically. AS200s,
AS250s (cadets who are initially joining the program as sophomores), and AS500s
(cadets who did not attend field training following their first AS200 year) are
all preparing to compete for an enrollment allocation to field training, and if
they earn one, prepare for field training itself. I am an AS500, and so that is
where I am now.
Field
training preparation is designed to be both stressful and educational. It is
supposed to give cadets a taste of the intensity and pressure they will face at
the month long field training in Alabama and Louisiana, and teach them how to
work through those situations as well. The best part of the AFROTC program
design, is that cadets who are most recent graduates of field training, are the
ones who carry out the training for those preparing to go. These returning
graduates impart all of their knowledge and experience onto the next
generation, teaching them from their own mistakes and successes.
Field
training preparation can get extremely frustrating at times. Everything that
the cadets in FTP flight do must be standardized and executed in the shortest
time possible, operating at the speed of excellence. This means that mundane
tasks, such as how names are written on papers, to how items are carried in hands,
to how towels are folded, or how uniform items are stored, must be carried out
in the exact same manner by every cadet in the flight. With 14+ people each
with their own idea of what the most efficient way to do something, it can be
difficult for the flight to work together and get the job done. Another
complication is the way cadets interpret each other’s ideas. Folding a towel,
or a shirt, or any other sort of uniform item can be incredibly difficult
without demonstrating the folds as they are explained. Ultimately, if a task
isn’t carried out to perfection, or within the set amount of time, FTP cadets
are required to repeat the task until they do so successfully.
The
monotony of doing such training exercises can be boring, frustrating, and even
demotivating. But that’s where having flight-mates comes into play. These 14+
people who are working to accomplish a task, aren’t working to accomplish it
themselves. An FTP flight is comprised of cadets who are willing to give 100%
effort to make the person next to them look better. These cadets make
sacrifices so that the flight is successful. 1 person can work to make
themselves successful, but a group of people working outside of their own goals
to achieve the flight’s goals is an awesome experience to be a part of.
Few people
can say they have contributed to something bigger than themselves. This
commonality between all cadets, freshmen through seniors, is what the close
relationships, mentorships, and friendships in Det 415 are built on. The flight
or unit mentality spills over, out of training, and into the rest of our
college lifestyles. We are always looking out for each other, whether its
academics, personal lives, or other areas. Joining Air Force ROTC is more than
pursuing a career in the Air Force; it’s joining a family with which ties will
last a lifetime.
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