Cowboy Up: AFROTC Det. 940 practices pride and glory

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alex Martinez
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  Air Force ROTC cadets juggle well. They must juggle two lives; the life of a full time college student and the life of an Air Force officer in training. Their situation is unique because they live a college student lifestyle with a military twist. By the time the Air Force ROTC cadets of Det. 940 at the University of Wyoming graduate, they will be fully trained, professional Air Force officers.

"Having both college life and an Air Force life is tough but it gets easier as you progress," said Cadet Nicholas Gydesen, Det. 940 wing commander.

Cadet Gydesen said the workload as a freshman or sophomore is heavy but over time, they learn better time management skills.

As their time and experience progress, the cadets have the opportunity to take on more responsibility and leadership roles within the detachment. Some leadership positions at the Det. include an inspector general, a public affairs representative and a cadet commander.

Cadet Gydesen said being a ROTC student and the cadet Det. commander is something he had always wanted to do.

"It's like being in a college fraternity or sorority, only after you graduate, you have a career as an officer," he said.

The faculty includes six Air Force members, three officers and two noncommissioned officers. They double as personnel support and instructors for the cadets.

"Our role as NCOs is pretty much like a first sergeant's role," said Staff Sgt. Jessica Wilbur, Det. 940. "We teach the cadets respect, support them with their problems, and help them understand the roles of an NCO in the operational Air Force."

The students are on regular schedules with Air Force classes peppered throughout the week. Every Wednesday, the cadets must attend a leadership lab. During the lab, instructors give briefings, awards and recognitions are presented, and instructors give lessons about Air Force knowledge, for example Reveille and Retreat procedures.

"Being a cadet here gives you the opportunity to be part of something bigger and better than just college," said cadet Gydesen. "You get to be part of a great group of individuals."

Some of the individuals in the Det. are prior service enlisted members. There are many ways enlisted members can join a ROTC program through base education centers.

Cadet Gydesen said prior enlisted ROTC cadets make some of the best cadets because of their insight as to what the Air Force is really like.

As the cadets of Det. 940 stand at the front door of the Air Force and wait to enter, the memories, friendships and knowledge they are experiencing will drive them through their careers as Air Force officers.