Cadets from Air Force ROTC Detachment 410 at the University of St. Thomas recently returned from field training in Alabama and Mississippi, including seven cadets who earned high honors.
Field training lasts 28 days and can be compared to basic training in the enlisted side of the Air Force. Field training signifies a rite of passage for cadets pursuing commissions as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force.
For two weeks cadets lived in dorms, ate at dining facilities, attended briefings, performed in physical training, completed leadership reaction courses, competed in various athletic games, endured uniform and dorm inspections, and competed in flight drill competitions.
The following two weeks were spent in a mock forward operating base learning skills for contingency operations. The first few days were spent rotating through a training of first aid, convoy tactics, hand-to-hand combatives, fortifications, and security. After completion of this training, cadets implemented everything they learned in a six-day exercise.
Throughout field training, cadets were under constant evaluation of their leadership and followership skills while being challenged physically, mentally and emotionally. Several cadets from Det 410 were recognized for their outstanding achievements at field training.
Cadets Shelby Yoakum, Anthony Domeier and Cole Johnson were recognized as Distinguished graduates (within the top 10 percent of their field training encampment).
Cadets Kathryn West and Brianna Baartman were recognized as Superior Performers (within the top 20 percent of their field training encampment).
In addition, two Detachment 410 cadets were recognized for their accomplishments as training assistants. Cadet Lauren Schlichting was recognized as the No. 1 training assistant at her encampment, and Cadet Jesse Behning was recognized for setting new standards for safety as a combatives training assistant.
"If you see these cadets around campus, please congratulate them on their accomplishments," remarked 1st Lt. Rody Lageson, unit admissions officer for Detachment 410.
