Goodfellow hosts ROTC exercise

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Seraiah Hines
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs

Angelo State University's Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets spent a day and night at a mock forward operating base as a part of their yearly field training exercise April 20 and 21, at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas.

All ASU Air Force ROTC cadets have the opportunity to stay in the FOB and undergo training revolving around real life scenarios once a year. Testing what the cadets have learned in the classroom, members from each active duty branch assigned to Goodfellow participated in training and creating exercises for the cadets to test their skills.

Air Force ROTC is a college program offered at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the U.S. It prepares individuals to become an Air Force officer while earning a college degree. Air Force ROTC unofficially began with the passage of the Morrill Act (Land-Grant Act) in 1862, which established military training at land-grant colleges and universities. But the name “Reserve Officer Training Corps,” or ROTC, was actually created by the passage of the National Defense Act in 1916.

“This training is designed to build and develop leadership skills,” said Maj. Russell Foster, ASU Air Force ROTC detachment associate professor operations flight commander. “They have been learning these skills in the classroom and now they get put them to the test.”

During the exercise the cadets experienced shooting blanks from their weapons, protecting their base, performing reconnaissance patrols and throughout it all there was the sound of gunfire.

After completing all Air Force ROTC and academic degree requirements, contracted cadets accept a commission as second lieutenants in the Air Force, appointed by the President of the United States.

“It isn’t required that we attend [the FTX],” said Elena Carney, ASU Air Force ROTC cadet. “But, I think it is a great opportunity to get out and experience training with joint services.”