There are cadets from all over the
nation with different backgrounds and different reasons why they joined the
Air Force ROTC program. Below is the story of one Cadet and what drove him to join the
AFROTC program. Cadet Dahm is currently a Junior who successfully completed field
training this past summer and is looking forward to the remaining years he has
in the ROTC program and joining the Air Force.
Here is Cadet Dahm’s story -
For as
long as I can remember, I have always wanted to serve in the military. Maybe I
watched too many action films as a child, or too many old cowboy movies. Either
way, I have always imagined myself in the thick of things, fighting the Nazis
or the Vietcong in some country far far away from my own.
This
image changed when I was in the third grade. I was only eight years old on
September 11, 2001. Although I was not old enough to comprehend what was
actually happening, and I only knew as much as my parents would tell me, I knew
that this was different from the movies I had grown up watching. Our country
was under attack and the “bad guys” were on our land. This event solidified my
decision. I wanted to join the military and take the fight to the enemy.
Like
any kid, this idea quickly went to the back of my head as I continued on with
my childhood. Kicking butt and taking names for my country was quickly overcome
by friends, family, and being young. Then one day in the fall, my parents
packed myself and my three siblings into the family minivan. After I asked
where we were going , my dad told me we were going to Scott Air Force Base for
an Air Show.
I spent
the next four hours walking around the flight line at Scott. I went into every
plane that I could and was eager to talk to every person in uniform that I saw.
After visiting every display at least twice, I found a clear area in the grassy
field and took a seat to watch the show. I stared in amazement as jets from the
world’s greatest air force roared overhead. At the end of the day, my desire to
join the air force was once again brought to life, and this time, it was here
to stay.
After
that first air show, I continued to return to every one that Scott put on with
the hope that one day I would be in one of the planes I saw doing loops and
flips in the air. During my search for a college my senior year of high school,
an AFROTC recruiter came for a visit. I had no idea what ROTC was, so I sat in
for his presentation. He explained that ROTC was one of the largest
commissioning sources for the Air Force. After he said that they could help pay
for college, I was convinced; ROTC would be the way to go.
Without a doubt, I was right.
From the very first day I walked into this program I have enjoyed every second.
Looking back, I can see how much I have changed and learned throughout the
years. After my time in Field Training, my love for this program and desire to
lead has only grown. I look forward to receiving a commission in the air force,
but moreover, I look forward to helping others grow and develop into the
leaders that will follow me.- Submitted by Captain Kaitlin Baird
