Whether students join for the scholarship opportunities,
leadership training or personal reasons, the Air Force ROTC
provides students with the opportunity to learn about the United
States Air Force and prepare to serve in the armed forces upon
graduation from college.
In recent years, interest in the program has been increasing:
The program commissioned 26 students this June, the largest class
in many years, said Lt. Col. Anthony Leppellere. On average, about
15 cadets are commissioned each year, he said.
Initially, many students join the program because of the
scholarships ROTC offers to incoming freshmen as well as to
continuing college students. But once some students begin their
training in the program, they say financial benefits are no longer
the main reason for their continued involvement in the Air Force
ROTC.
Cadet Blake Wayman, a fourth-year mathematics and economics
student, said the scholarship opportunity helped him pay his
out-of-state tuition. He also said he wanted to get a pilot
position and that ROTC guarantees all commissioned cadets a job
““ though not necessarily one in a cockpit.
Wayman begins a year of pilot training this summer to receive
his pilot license. Once his training is complete, he will begin his
active duty at an Air Force base, where he will serve for a
required 10 years.
Wayman said a great part of being involved with the Air Force
ROTC is getting to know the other people he works with.
“It’s a big jump going from ROTC to second
lieutenant, but after four years of training, I’m really
looking forward to it,” he said.
Traci Shiraishi, a fourth-year biology student, said ROTC has
provided her with leadership opportunities and life lessons.
“It has really helped me to grow,” Shiraishi said.
“The people really make it what it is. I’m excited and
looking forward to (serving).”
Karla Ruiz, a fourth-year history and Asian American studies
student, had a military background before UCLA; her father is a
Navy officer, and she was involved with the Air Force Junior ROTC
in high school.
Ruiz said meeting people and creating relationships with those
she will serve active duty with are benefits of the program.
“It’s a great way to serve your country and
it’s a good investment,” Ruiz said.
Not all students who join the program are commissioned; cadets
are commissioned only after fulfilling all their course
requirements and field training and passing the physical exam and
fitness tests, Leppellere said.
Between their second and third years, cadets go through a
one-month field training, during which they decide whether or not
they want to continue their involvement with the Air Force ROTC.
Field training consists of 17-hour days, where cadets adhere to a
physically demanding schedule. The cadets are then evaluated based
on their performance, Leppellere said.
After field training is completed, cadets are placed on contract
and expected to serve a minimum of four years of active duty in the
U.S. Air Force.