AFROTC aces inspection

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephen Musal
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
SAN ANGELO, Texas --  Congratulations are due to Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 847, located at nearby Angelo State University.

The detachment, which trains more than 100 future officers each year, received an overall rating of "Excellent" from the Air Education and Training Command Inspector General's recent Operational Readiness Inspection.

"Many of our other programs improved their ratings over the last inspection in December 2004," said Maj. Robert Reynolds, commandant of cadets at Det. 847.

"We'll take credit for our best areas, but all of our sections were very strong and we're very happy with the overall strong 'Excellent' rating."

"To prepare for this inspection, we didn't prepare," said Col. Michael Buck, Det. 847 commander. "We spent the entire Fall 2007 semester modifying the AFROTC program here at ASU - not to pass the test, but to do business better for the cadets: building a well-designed, efficient training program, freeing more time for Cadets' other academic requirements, making the program more challenging and fun at the same time, and building a close-knit culture. I believe it is working," Col. Buck added.

"Goodfellow Air Force Base helped us more than we could have ever imagined," Maj. Reynolds said.

"During the summer of 2007, we asked the 315th Training Squadron if we could get some casual lieutenants to help out with ORI preparations. They responded by giving us two exceptional second lieutenants, 2nd Lt. Brandon Folks and 2nd Lt. Maureen Fromuth," Maj. Reynolds added. "They caught on quick, putting together everything from timelines to reviewing and revising continuity books and much, much more."

"This ORI has also helped build a better sense of pride in the unit," Col. Buck said. "Cadets saw the cadre working to clean up the detachment, organize their programs and refine the needed continuity. Cadets followed suit, and the det has never looked better," Col. Buck added. "Better yet, the cadets have brought this attitude into this semester."

"I think more than anything, this ORI validated what we have been telling the cadets from day one," Maj. Reynolds said. "Det. 847 Air Force ROTC and Angelo State University are great places to learn."