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Operation Air Force gives ROTC cadets taste of enlisted mission

  • Published
  • By Holly Birchfield
  • 78 ABW/PA
Robins Air Force Base, GA --  Operation Air Force is giving ROTC cadets a chance to test drive the enlisted side of the Air Force before making a commitment to service.

Cadet Jacob Singleton, who is part of ROTC Detachment 860 at Utah State University in Logan, Utah, is one of 17 cadets currently undergoing the three-week program at Robins.

"One of the things I think is important about being involved in Operation Air Force is getting involved with the NCO group and getting to know what they do in their jobs," he said. "We always hear about what we do in different jobs, but it's different when you're actually working with it."

David Fulbrook, a cadet with ROTC Detachment 875 at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., said he has learned a lot since his June 2 arrival.

"It's important to see the other side," he said. "We interact with officers in our cadre at ROTC all the time (as we prepare to) become officers. Getting an appreciation for what the enlisted ranks do, the Airmen, the NCOs and the senior NCOs is the most important part."

Capt. Albert Chapman, ROTC officer in charge of Operation Air Force Session One, said the program gives cadets a better understanding of the service. "We're bringing in rising sophomores from various colleges throughout the country to give them a hands-on experience of how an Air Force base operates and specifically the role of the NCOs and the Airmen on the base," he said.

Captain Chapman said cadets learn the value of enlisted Airmen.

"As we all know through our training, the enlisted force is the backbone of the Air Force," he said. "For being officer candidates, this is really the closest they're going to get to working together hands-on with those folks."

Captain Chapman said cadets try their hand at many missions.

"They're going to be working with (enlisted Airmen), getting their hands dirty, and really just picking their brains," he said.

Capt. Wade Cornelius, director, Operation Air Force for the 78th Air Base Wing, said cadets are working in the 116th Aircraft Maintenance, 78th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and other units.

Cadets will also work side by side with senior NCOs in the 5th Combat Communications Group, 78th Medical Group, the 78th Security Forces Squadron, and the 78th Communications Group, Captain Cornelius said.

"They're going to be doing the same job that the Airmen and NCOs do every day," he said. "Each cadet has a senior NCO assigned to them to ensure they don't get in those types of positions that would overwhelm them."

Cadets experience different career fields and share lessons learned with other cadets.

Captain Cornelius said Operation Air Force is a good start for ROTC cadets considering military service.

"I think the program is vital," he said. "It's absolutely the ground work for these cadets to appreciate the backbone and work horse of the Air Force. As an officer, you need to understand what the enlisted force does and the strengths that they bring to you."