Commander’s Call
Wildcat Warrior Cadets, Cadre, and Alumni,
It is an honor and privilege to serve as the AFROTC Det 270/CC. Thank you to everyone who helped make my transition to KSU and Gen Myers Hall less stressful. My family and I enjoy living and working in the Manhattan area and look forward to completing our three-year tour. We are extremely happy and thrilled to be here as we serve our nation, the USAF and KSU.
I have established four goals for the Cadet Wing this year covering academics, physical fitness, and training. These goals are high but achievable; teamwork will be the key to success. We have also instituted a wing Combat Challenge program, re-energized our Arnold Air Society squadron, and are re-establishing Pershing Rifles in concert with the Army ROTC Battalion.
If you have any questions or would like to contribute to future newsletters, please don’t hesitate to contact me . The cadets would thoroughly enjoy hearing stories from the front, by a KSU AFROTC alumni.
Edward A. Meyer, Lt Col, USAF
Commander, Detachment 270 KSU
Unit Admissions Officer View
Fall 2009 is already on the downhill slide! Be sure to be safe and keep focused on your academics especially with the holiday/winter season upon us.
Semester Interviews: Everyone has to complete an interview and update their Form 48 each semester. If you have not scheduled an interview call Mary Jo now.
Scholarships Information: I want to get as many of you on scholarship as possible; there are certain technical majors that can receive Express Scholarships if you are in Computer, Electrical, or Environmental engineering. In order to be eligible your GPA must be above a 2.5, you have to pass the fitness test, pass the AFOQT and schedule a DODMERB physical through TSgt Wheeler (if not already contacted).
Recruiting Opportunities: I need your help at local recruiting events (High School visits and College events). C3C Kathryn B. is our wing recruiting officer; please contact her if you would like to help the cadet wing recruit interested students to join the Wildcat Warrior team.
Retention Events: If anyone wants to plan video game tournaments or movie nights contact me and we will definitely set it up provide snacks/pizza.
James Ford, Capt, USAF
Unit Admissions Officer
Cadet Wing Commander’s View
Wow, what a start to the semester! I hope all of you are headed in the right direction by now this fall. We have had quite a number of cool and exciting things happen already thus far but I assure you, the best is yet to come! Just in the past few months I have had the opportunity to learn some valuable lessons as Cadet Wing Commander of our Detachment and I am sure that each and every one of you reading this has learned plenty of interesting tidbits yourselves. We have all been given a great opportunity by choosing to take part in AFROTC.
I’m sure the graduating seniors would agree AFROTC has presented us all with unique and exciting challenges that have taught us how to be leaders and manage stress in our everyday lives. Every one of us cadets are required to step up and put in extra time and effort over and above the normal requirements of student life here at Kansas State University. We have all accepted the challenge and thus are better people for it. I can honestly say that I feel much more prepared for post graduate life than I would be without AFROTC and to be quite honest I find it hard to imagine what college would be like without sharing it with the corps.
I challenge each and every one of you to get involved and volunteer with more activities. Not just within our corps but around campus. Step outside your comfort zone and meet new people because at the end of the day the people you meet may become one of your best friends and can often times lead to greater opportunities later on in life. So get excited about the rest of the semester! The month of October should be action packed with A-10’s coming as well as some Blackhawk rides! Keep your heads up and keep working hard because I guarantee it will pay off in the end!
C/Col Scott F.
Wing Commander
Around Detachment 270
During LLAB on October 8, 2009, monthly awards were presented to three cadets; a scholarship was awarded, followed by Commander’s Call with Lt Col Meyer, and then a guest speaker presented information to the wing.
Awards given out at LLAB included both Cadet of the Month Awards and the Wildcat Warrior of the Month Award. First, the 100 Class Cadet of the Month Award was awarded to Cadet Mark B. of Alpha Flight. Next, the 200 Class Cadet of the Month was presented. This was awarded to Cadet Juliana K. of Echo Flight. These awards were given to these cadets for their outstanding performance for the month of September. The next award was the Wildcat Warrior of the Month Award. This award was given to Cadet Zak K. of Echo Flight. Cadet K. was awarded this due to his outstanding motivation by attending all three PT sessions per week. Congratulations to these cadets for their achievements!
Following the presentation of the monthly awards, Lt Col Meyer presented the 2009 Grimm Aerospace Scholarship. The scholarship is in memory of 1986 AFROTC and KSU Graduate, Captain William Grimm. Capt Grimm graduated with a B.S. in General Science. He was a Navigator on a Special Ops AC-130H Gunship, stationed at Hurlburt Field, FL. Captain William Grimm lost his life on January 30, 1991 after his AC-130H Gunship was shot down behind enemy lines in Operation Desert Storm. His parents have established the Grimm Aerospace Scholarship to carry on the legacy of Captain Grimm. To be eligible for this scholarship you must be in the top 1/3 of your class, have a 2.5 or better GPA, and must be dedicated to Det 270. This year’s Grimm Aerospace Scholarship was awarded to Cadet Logan L. of Echo Flight. Congratulations!
Commander’s Call continued with a briefing by Lt Col Meyer about a new club forming on campus between our AFROTC Det and the Army ROTC Battalion. The club he is speaking of is known as the National Society of Pershing Rifles. The purpose of this club is to help the development of officers and to build camaraderie and esprit de corps between all three ROTC programs. Company G-7, as our Company will be known as, had a strong history on the K-State campus back in the 1970’s until it was disbanded later on. They were first formed in 1949 and even performed and Honor Guard event for President Dwight Eisenhower. We are planning a phased approach into PR so keep on the lookout for details.
Next, guest speaker Thuria Mossa presented a briefing on the country of Iraq. A native of Baghdad, Mrs. Mossa came to the United States from Iraq in 1982. She has taught Arabic at K-State since 2001. She has also volunteered her time at Fort Riley to prepare soldiers headed to Iraq. The presentation included history of Iraq, geography, demographics, and general knowledge of what is going on in the country now. Her insights proved to be very interesting since her point of view was fresh and different.
C/3C Y.
Ops Group Commander
As Operations Group Commander I am excited to have the semester under way. Through working with plans and training I have high hopes for our young officers of tomorrow's Air Force. We have a lot of fun activities planned throughout the semester; Blackhawk helicopter rides, rappelling, FTX out on Ft. Riley and possibly a joint commissioning ceremony. As operations we are the tip of the sword and must be on top of our game, looking sharp and performing far above the standards. I have no doubt that we are all capable of accomplishing this. I wish everyone the best of luck with school this semester and I look forward to working with all our Wildcat Warriors!
C/Lt Col Mitch L.
Operations Group Commander
Cadet Inspector General
As a new year begins, there are many new faces from another large freshman class as well as plenty of returning cadets. As the Inspector General, it is my job to ensure all cadet activities are conducted in accordance with AFROTC regulations and make certain cadets are following their stated job descriptions while maintaining proper appearance.
Through the first few weeks of the semester I have been impressed with the great attitudes shown by our new cadets and their eagerness to learn and become an instrumental part of the cadet wing. I have also noticed a high level of excitement from the AS 200 cadets as well as the AS 300’s who just came back from field training. With some experience under their belts and the knowledge that even more is expected from them this year, I look forward to watching them thrive as both mentors for other cadets as well as learning from those above them. I anticipate yet another great semester from Det 270 and I wish all of you the best of luck in your endeavors. Airpower!
C/Lt Col Matt P.
Inspector General
Arnold Air Society – Vorhies Squadron
The mission of Arnold Air Society is to create outstanding Air Force officer candidates through the implementation of additional training, while working as a society to further the purpose, traditions, and concepts of the United States Air Force.
This fall, a new class of leadership has set forth to redefine Arnold Air Society at Kansas State University. Our goals are to create more outstanding officer candidates than those produced by AFROTC alone, as well as to provide non-profit service to our community. The focus of members and candidates is on professional development and service.
In order to reach these goals, our squadron has used its focus to reinvigorate its training program, set higher standards for membership, and reach out to the community. AAS candidates meet a twelve week training program comprised of rigorous academics, drill and ceremonies, physical training, professional development training, and community service.
For the remainder of this semester, candidates and members will be working together in support of soldiers and veterans in the area, the Airman’s Attic at McConnell AFB, the “That Others May Live”Foundation, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Flint Hills Bread Basket, and the city of Manhattan.
We are truly honored to restore Arnold Air Society to the state of excellence it once held under our alumni Wildcat Warriors, and look forward to a great semester!
C/1Lt Tommy M.
Arnold Air Society Commander
Alumni News
Something unique this year from prior years is the number of total cadets in the wing and the few 2d Lieutenants who have remained beyond the start of the fall semester. Initially there were four 2Lt’s but today only three remain, myself, Lt Mantle and Lt Gasswint. However, unlike prior years we are not active duty officers on Casual Status and are not earning a USAF pay check; all of us have enter active duty (EAD) dates in November.
Still, when we’re not at work or spending time with family we’re spending time assisting the cadre and the detachment. Thus far we have enhanced the Cadet Lounge computers, aided Wildcat Warrior recruiting events, volunteered at local community ports, answered cadet questions, and helped lead the Det’s participation in the 2009 USAF Marathon.
Also, I have observed several changes from this year’s cadet staff and cadre commander compared to last year; it’s all for the better. The cadre and staff have numerous fun events planned for the wing. I sincerely hope the Wildcat Warriors maintain established AFROTC traditions but also create new ones for one of the largest freshman classes in my memory.
This year will be exciting and interesting. I look forward to returning in spring 2010 to see some outstanding cadets get commissioned.
Jeremy McKowski, 2d Lt, USAF
Wars may be fought with weapons but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who follow and the man who leads that gains the victory.
Gen. George S. Patton Jr., US Army