If I had to sum up my experience in AFROTC in three words, it will be challenging, growth and accountability. Challenging because opposed to what you may hear about the Air Force as far as it being the “laid back" branch, it is demanding. Waking up early in the morning for PT (physical training), working outside of PT to stay in shape, Leadership Laboratory, squadron tasks, memorizing AFROTC knowledge, class and all the other tasks not mentioned on the list. Not to scare you with the list, it all can be done you just need to balance your schedule and plan your time accordingly. AFROTC is also challenging because you have to push yourself mentally and physically. I remember the first time I did PT my legs hurt for two weeks, it hurt just to walk down the steps in buildings. You have to challenge yourself to push your pace or run longer to keep in shape. AFROTC also helps you to grow personally.
You learn how to be more responsible for yourself and others around you. Although in your freshman year your job is to look at yourself and focus on academics, you are highly encouraged to look out for your fellow cadets. It’s important to care and look out for people because that is one of the most essential roles of a leader. Last, everything you do inside and outside of PT you are accountable for. This is a blessing in disguise because although you can't do what you want to all the time being accountable for your behavior matures you and with that comes integrity and dependability you will soon see character growth. I chose to be in AFROTC because I wanted to make an impact and be different from the average college student. The military is not for everybody if it was we would see higher numbers of people joining the service when in fact military officers make up less than 1 percent of the worlds population. So far I have not regretted joining and plan to stay.
Cadet Forth-Class Sierra Watson
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I have been in AFROTC for two years now, and I have loved every minute of it. From the leadership labs, to the physical training, to marching. I have learned a lot about myself, what I want to be, and I think that I have changed for the better for it. Many people have remarked on how much I have changed since I first joined. Some people have said that I look more mature, and that I seem to be more of a “leader”. I don’t know about any of that, but I do know that I have made many friendships that I will carry with me into active duty. And I believe that it is those friendships that have helped me to grow and mature into the person that I am today.
Those friendships have instilled in me the drive for excellence and the desire to pursue higher standards. That is because they drive me to do better. They are there during the good times, and they have my back during the bad times. And that is something, to me, worth more than any amount of money I could get if I was not part of AFROTC.
Cadet Third-Class Karl Tesch
