Cadet Life at Air Force ROTC Detachment 790
Frequently Asked Questions Answered By Cadets
Cadet Kavin B., a junior at Middle Tennessee State University studying Aerospace Administration
Why did you join AFROTC?
To serve my country from the air and in the greatest military branch in the world.
How has AFROTC changed you as a person?
One word: LEADERSHIP! I have more confidence to lead now than I ever had or probably ever would have.
How has PT at Det 790 helped your physical fitness?
Physical Training at Det 790 gives me that competition boost, which drives me to be better. It also gives me additional time to run and work out.
What are the best and worst parts of AFROTC?
The best part of AFROTC is the opportunities; where else do you get the opportunity to have your school paid for and take incentive rides on F-16s? The worst part is the amount of publicity that is not out there. Most people don't even know about AFROTC in college.
What is the time commitment for AFROTC?
Besides the time spent at lecture, LLAB and PT, the time commitment for AFROTC is like anything you want to succeed in, as much as you want, depending on you.
Describe the friendships you’ve made through AFROTC.
I have met some of my best friends in AFROTC.
What advice would you give to someone interested in joining Air Force
ROTC here at Det 790?
If you are serious about serving and protecting your great nation, then there should be no doubt about serving in the greatest branch of our great nation, the U.S. Air Force. And, you can't get better prepared for that anywhere else than at Detachment 790.
Cadet Eamon C., a junior at Vanderbilt University studying English and Mathematics
Why did you decide to join AFROTC?
I had always thought about trying the military, and I knew that AFROTC would allow me to give something back to my country and would benefit me as a person. I was also interested in flying or doing work in military intelligence, both of which are strong career fields offered in the Air Force. Since there was no obligation or commitment, I decided to give it a shot.
How do scholarships affect cadets?
First, it is important to note that scholarship status has no bearing on how a cadet is treated in the AFROTC program. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, they are available in one of two ways: in high school and in college. For information regarding high school AFROTC scholarships, see http://www.afrotc.com/scholarships/hsschol/types.php. Luckily, if you aren’t picked up for a high school scholarship or didn’t apply, you’re still eligible for an in-college scholarship. The only two criteria are that you are enrolled full time in AFROTC and pass a medical examination. Once these standards are met, the two big players for being competitive are your GPA and your participation within the cadet corps. All POC cadets who are not on scholarship are put on a minimum scholarship with the Air Force. For exact details, see the “Scholarships” link, or go to
http://www.afrotc.com/scholarships.
How do you feel the GMC program prepared you for the POC program?
The GMC program is in part designed to prepare you for the POC program, and I can guarantee that it will do so. Each semester of your two years as a GMC cadet, you will focus on different skills and areas of knowledge. Every POC cadet draws upon the experience he or she acquired as a GMC cadet, and we really do use it every time we put on the uniform. The only real factor that determines your success in the GMC program is you—the harder you work and the more effort you’re willing to put in, the better prepared you’ll be.
How would you say being a cross-town cadet has influenced your experience in ROTC?
Quite simply, I would say it has not influenced me at all. All cadets in the detachment are treated and evaluated the same, regardless of which institution they attend, and the opportunities are equal for everyone. If anything, I have enjoyed meeting and working with people who attend other universities and have such an eclectic set of backgrounds. The only significant difference is the drive. I am fortunate as a Vanderbilt student, as the drive for me is under 10 minutes. It can be a bit longer for those outside of the Nashville area, but it is only made once a week, and given that Det 790 is very flexible in working around your schedule, it is certainly manageable.
What advice would you give to someone interested in joining Air Force
ROTC here at Det 790?
Deciding to join an organization like ROTC might seem at first to be a daunting idea. Still, my advice is simple: if you’re interested in the military as a career, want to become a more well-rounded person, or have in you a desire to accomplish something meaningful, you owe it to yourself to try Air Force ROTC. Simply by being curious, you have taken the first step. Personally, it was not until the end of my first year in the program that I knew the Air Force was indeed where I wanted to be after I graduated from college. Give it a try—you have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. That was my mindset when I joined as a freshman, and it has turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.
