Cadets experience operational Air Force

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Samantha S. Crane
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Out of the classroom and into the operational world, 26 ROTC cadets are at Mountain Home Air Force Base working side-by-side with active-duty Airmen from around the base to gain first-hand knowledge of the Air Force through July 31.

The cadets, split up into three groups, will visit different squadrons, participate in mentor programs and work just like any other Airman on base, which will help them decide if the Air Force is right for them.

"To ROTC cadets, everything is academic," said 1st Lt. Robert Thelen, 366th Component Maintenance Squadron and Operation Air Force project officer. "To see jets taking off and Airmen living the Air Force life style changes many cadets' opinion on the Air Force. We want to show them the 'real Air Force' and let them make the most informed decision."

They will also participate in an explosive ordnance disposal demonstration, a field training exercise with the 726th Air Control Squadron and visit the Mountain Home Range Complex at Saylor Creek Bombing Range to see how the base fits into the Air Force mission.

"The cadets are here to learn about the operational Air Force and see the total force construct," said Lieutenant Thelen. "We focused their schedules on learning about as many career fields as possible and show the support, maintenance, medical and operations sides of the house."

The program breaks down into three parts to cater to the different grade levels of the cadets. Two of the three programs are represented here.

Sophomores join the "non comm." course to get the Air Force perspective shadowing different senior NCOs from the base. The three-week emersion helps them learn about the career fields the Air Force has to offer while the enlisted mentors teach the cadets about their respective jobs. The students are also taught and signed off on a job-related task similar to the procedures used to certify junior enlisted members undergoing upgrade training.

This training also focuses on enhancing the cadets' knowledge and appreciation of enlisted roles, responsibilities and expectations and provides insight into various aspects of the enlisted culture, according to the major.

"It exposes us to a wide array of career fields and thing on base," said Cadet Pam Bhullar, a sophomore from Duke University. "It's great exposure before we even get out of ROTC."

Meanwhile, ROTC seniors join the "brevet lieutenant" course to learn and participate in the career they will join the following year. This Operation Air Force program prepares these cadets for the duties they assume as a new lieutenant by providing first-hand experience in their assigned career field. As part of this immersion, the cadets stay with the same mentor throughout the three weeks.