Cadet Leveille - FTP/AS200

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.

Jon Leveille

Cadet Mitchell - AS100

As everyone knows by now, I hail from the grand old city of Houston, Texas, where it behooves one to ruminate on one’s words. As I learned rather discourteously, things just ain’t the same up here, and certainly not in our great Detachment 415, but the change of pace has done me a great deal of service.

I didn’t know what to expect the first day of Lead Lab, but it certainly wasn’t what I got. Fresh cadets scampered about, unsure of where to go or what to do, clinging to each other in loose groups like orphaned monkeys; a humble start for the future leaders of America! Somehow though, I felt comfortable, for a few lead labs. Taking direct orders is a fairly basic activity to engage in; much better, I thought, than being the poor sap up front, desperately trying to lead us around.

Then came my turn.

While the pace may not have changed for those under my command (or may even have slowed down), the great effort of formulating plans, be they marching movements or timehacks, was in stark contrast to the relative ease of following those plans. Had it not been for one area of prior experience in quick-thinking, I would have been completely lost. The practice I’d had in the cockpit of an airplane talking on the radio granted me a smidge of the fast-talking, fast-thinking skills transferrable to any position of command; brevity in thought and word breeds credibility wherever you go, be it as Flight Commander or Pilot in Command.

I think that my decision to come all this way north for school was well-conceived, but I know that joining AFROTC was one of the best decisions of my life. Aside from the outstanding group of people I get to associate with (my second family), I’ve gained great confidence in my own ability as a leader through the challenges presented. Hopefully in a few years, that confidence and ability will earn me a flight suit.

Open House on April 23rd

Detachment 415 is hosting an open house on April 23rd for anyone interested in Air Force ROTC here at the University of Minnesota. The event will be held in the Armory at 4:00PM with pizza and refreshments. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the program from current students as well as Air Force officers. It is a perfect time to explore career options with the Air Force, and to get more information about potential scholarship benefits. If you know anyone that might be interested in AFROTC, let them know and spread the word about this event. There's no better place to have your questions answered directly than by those currently involved!

A quick summary of the event:

When: April 23 at 4 p.m.
Who: Students, Parents, & Friends
What: Learn about AFROTC, Tour the Armory, social activities and much more.
Why: To see what Air Force ROTC is all about in a relaxed, social environment.
Where: The U’s Historic Armory Building!


The Armory is located at:

15 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455


Nearby parking is available at:

Church Street Garage
80 Church Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

The End of Mustache March

Following a challenge from the Air Force’s Chief of Staff, the males of Detachment 415 set their crosshairs this March on growing the best mustaches they could muster in just 31 short days. It quickly became clear that many would need every single one of those days to achieve any semblance of the handlebar ‘stache for which the tradition began (and for some, 31 still wouldn’t be enough). In his speech in late February however, General Mark Welsh made it clear that the ladies of our Air Force were not to be left out of the fun, giving them the far more enviable task of ridiculing the guys about their valiant, yet futile and surely “idiotic” looking attempts at looking like Tom Selleck. The annual Air Force tradition originated as a tribute to the late Brigadier General Robin Olds, a legendary fighter pilot and “triple ace” with 16 aerial kills over his 30-year military career spanning from World War II through the Vietnam War.  General Olds began growing his famous whiskers while deployed during the Vietnam War where it became superstition for all deployed Airmen to grow their own “bulletproof mustache” for protection. Now each March, Airmen stationed all over the world grow their flavor savers both as a tribute to our heritage, and as a morale booster within each respective unit. All in all I think most cadets would agree Mustache March was a great success in 2014. While most cadets, many of whom have yet to reach their 20^th birthday, may have struggled to grow any discernible ‘stache visible from further than 10 ft. away, the month undeniably brought many jokes and laughs, and helped build upon the camaraderie of the Flying Gophers Detachment. 

-Cadet Sarno

Follow this link to take a look at the results!

Irish for a Day 5K

On Saturday, 8 March 2014, 16 cadets volunteered their time at the 100% Irish for a Day 5K and 10 mile run through Twin Cities in Motion (TCM). TCM is a local organization whose mission is to, “inspire wellness and fitness throughout the entire community, donate to charity, and promote the sport of running, especially to children.” The course of the race was around Lake Harriet and/or Lake Calhoun, about 20 minutes from campus. After receiving instructions, fluorescent green vests and Caribou Coffee at 0800, the cadets were dispersed along the race course, and were in charge of preventing cars from entering the course route. The race kicked off promptly at 0900. Throughout the duration of the race (0900 - 1100) cadets enjoyed cheering on the runners (often in the form of an occasional joke as they passed, courtesy of Cadet Mitchell), observing the outlandish St. Patrick’s themed costumes, and the beauty of the lakes as well as the surrounding neighborhood.  Though the Cadets were pelted with Lucky Charms and lost some of the feeling in their toes due to the frigid temperatures, it was great to volunteer our time for such a good cause!
-Cadet Mullings

Mustache March

Midway through March marks the start of our spring break here at the University of Minnesota, and with that comes an update to the challenge given from a top spot in the chain of command. Late in February, the Air Force's Chief of Staff, General Mark A. Welsh III, issued a challenge to the entire Air Force, though mostly the men many would hope, to grow the best mustache in what has become an Air Force tradition of Mustache March. He called for full participation in his address to the Air Force Association, stating “I don’t think we’ve ever had an all-in Mustache March, have we?” Here at Detachment 415, we are honoring this challenge, and although we aren’t officially part of the Air Force wide competition, we are hosting one of our own.

During our Leadership Laboratory on 26 February, we were given the challenge and given the rules. Not any mustache would do for this competition, because many styles are wildly out of regulation for what can be grown. Regulations state that the mustache must not extend beyond the vertical planes drawn by the corners of the lips, and that the mustache must also not touch the upper lip. Such regulations result in admittedly interesting appearances to say the least. From pencils, to lampshades, to painter’s brushes, to peach fuzz, there are many ways to grow a regulation mustache, although for many the peach fuzz is not much of a choice. With such interest drawn to Mustache March this year, it is interesting to look into its origins in the Air Force.

Regulations have more or less always been in place to govern the appearance of military individuals, and facial hair is no exception. While some facial hair is permitted as described above, the limits are quite prohibitive for those that desire a more full facial feeling. Such was the case with Air Force pilot Robin Olds. Olds was well known for his flying career, one in which he earned himself the title of “triple ace,” earning each title for a victory against five enemy aircraft. In total, Olds had 16 victories spread throughout Word War II and the Vietnam War. Although his flying career is undoubtedly impressive, Olds was better known for his stylish mustache. He grew a very full, and wonderfully waxed mustache that was wildly against Air Force regulations. He grew it in part because many airmen would sport “bulletproof mustaches” as a superstition, but also as a sort of protest against the appearance standards. Mustache March is now an Air Force tradition in honor of Brigadier General Robin Olds.

Included are some of the more notable two week check up ‘staches.

Loaves and Fishes

Friday 28 February, several cadets decided to make a difference in the community.  Even after a massive ice storm, cadets chose to travel to St. Matthew's Church in St. Paul to volunteer at Loaves and Fishes.  Loaves and Fishes is a service organization with a mission of feeding those who are hungry in our community.  They run out of several different locations cooking and serving food for people who can not afford it.  Cadets went and helped the Loaves and Fishes group to serve meals.  The afternoon started with some clean up of the cooking dishes and the final preparations of the meal. Cadets then helped put out the food and dish up plates to serve those people who made the journey through the cold to have a warm meal. After the meal was finished cadets helped do dishes as well as sweep, mop and wash down the kitchen and dining hall.  Overall cadets had a really fun time and helped out the community too.

-Cadet Zastrow