Cadet opportunities
Outside of LLAB and AS Classes, cadets have the opportunity to participate in a variety of clubs, events, and Professional Development Trainings hosted by a range of sources including our Detachment, the Air Force Academy, and more.
National Character and Leadership symposium
The National Character and Leadership Symposium (NCLS) is an annual event hosted by the U.S. Air Force Academy which showcases speakers from both the military and civilian worlds. The even focuses on inspiring stories, the importance of values, and different leadership perspectives. This past year, a group of cadets from Detachment 060 had the honor of attending a speech from the USAF Chief of Staff, General David Goldfein. Other speakers included the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Kaleth O. Wright and former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.
Color guard
The Color Guard team performs at a variety of events throughout the year. Most notably, they present the colors at USC football games at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Other events include university events such as President Carol Folt’s inauguration, USC basketball games, and veterans events. Cadets involved in Color Guard learn detailed drill movements as a team as they perform their duties in the spotlight.
SOAR
The USAFA Soaring program is the largest glider operation in the world. This program provides cadets an understanding of basic aviation by providing them an experience in the TG10B. Flights in the TG10B glider familiarize them with aircraft controls, airfield procedures, and the fundamentals of flight in an unpowered aircraft.
Project global officer (Project GO)
Project Global Officer is a Department of Defense program aimed at enhancing the language capabilities and intercultural communication skills of future military officers. The U.S. institutions of higher education provide language and culture training to ROTC students from across the nation by funding domestic and overseas ROTC language programs and scholarships.
Here’s what C/Sam Wahl shared on his experience during Project GO:
“This past summer I was able to go to Morocco for 2 months to study Arabic through Project GO. I heard about Project GO through my older siblings who had both done it during their time in ROTC and I wanted to travel and get the unique immersion and cultural experience that the program offered. I study [International Relations], but the program was not based on my major at all it was purely to learn the Arabic language which was super cool. My favorite memories are when we would travel to beautiful places on the weekends and try to navigate our way around using our very beginner Arabic skills. My biggest takeaway from the trip was learning about the culture and customs of Morocco as a whole as well as the beauty and importance of experiencing different cultures!”✌️
IM Flag Football
The Airmen of Troy Flag Football team is part of the Intramural Sports program at USC. The Airmen of Troy team made the playoffs in the Fall of 2018 and 2019. This is an opportunity for cadets to bond outside of the ROTC environment and participate in USC clubs and activities.
Field engineering readiness laboratory (FERL)
Field Engineering Readiness Laboratory is hosted by the US Air Force Academy as a summer program in which ROTC cadets majoring in Civil Engineering (and similar subjects including Mechanical, Industrial, Architectural, etc) join Academy cadets in hands-on training in construction, management, and building science.
Here’s what C/Kaitelyn Haynes shared on her experience during FERL:
“From driving bulldozers to drywalling Navajo Hogans, this summer was packed with tons of hands on learning. As an Architecture major heading into the Air Force, I wasn’t exactly sure what my role would entail or how I would transition my knowledge into CE, but the amount of exposure I got talking to everyone involved in the field from NCOs to Generals has given me such a new perspective. It was also awesome to spend time in Colorado and get to know my peers at the Academy and other branches of ROTC from all over the country. As they say, Engineers, Lead the Way!” ✌️
Freefall
The USAFA Freefall Program is a physically and mentally demanding course that introduces cadets to freefall parachuting. Students are exposed to a challenging environment that requires a rigorous ground school training course taught by cadet Jumpmasters of the USAFA Parachute Team. They learn basic parachuting procedures and develop the confidence necessary to complete five unassisted freefall skydives from 4,500 ft AGL.
National Character and Leadership Symposium
The National Character and Leadership Symposium (NCLS) is an event opportunity that the United States Air Force Academy’s holds annually where a group of selected cadets get to travel and learn about leadership and character.
