Eglin members visit AF Academy sponsor squadron

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Andrew Caulk
  • 96 SFS
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  An Eglin delegation went to the U.S. Air Force Academy March 1-2, to visit the 96th Air Base Wing's sponsored Cadet Squadron 28.

Each USAFA cadet squadron has a sponsor unit located within the Air Force. When the cadet squadron's plan to visit Eglin fell through, Col. Bruce McClintock, 96th Air Base Wing commander, along with a delegation of five Eglin Airmen brought the sponsor program to them.

"Our visit to the Academy was about mentoring, family, and communication," said Colonel McClintock. "This was a great opportunity to mentor future officers and to expose them to non-Academy officers to help them integrate into the Air Force Family. This trip was an example of our military family continuity."

The cadets shared much the same sentiment as the commander and appreciated the sponsor's visit.

"It was very enlightening to hear the perspective of both young Airmen and officers from other commissioning sources," said Cadet 1st Class Josh Slocum. "Cadets are rarely exposed to such diverse military members in combined setting and this interaction was extremely useful as we grow into future Air Force leaders. Learning from those who have been in similar situations before is certainly beneficial in our leadership development and had a major impact on all of the cadets in Squadron 28."

The visit also enlightened two Airmen about one of their possible commissioning paths.

"This experience has gained me in-depth insight into how cadets live and learn at the Academy. This program has been a great assistance in my decision to apply through LEAD to become a cadet," said Airman 1st Class David Guay, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

The LEAD Program is an on-going effort to give our best and brightest airmen the opportunity to excel by offering them appointments to the US Air Force Academy.

The program, initiated by Gen. Ronald Fogleman in 1995, delegates authority to unit and wing commanders to nominate highly qualified Airmen to attend the prep school with the intention of Academy appointment to follow. Commanders can identify outstanding and deserving airmen with officer potential for this commissioning program.

Every year slots are reserved for Airmen to attend the Academy. There are 85 slots reserved for direct appointment and 50 slots reserved for the Academy Preparatory School. Every year a majority of these slots goes unfilled and the Air Force and Airmen miss a great opportunity.

"As an Officer Training School graduate, the opportunity to visit an alternate commissioning source has been priceless. I thoroughly enjoyed sharing my Air Force experiences with the cadets and learned a great deal about the heritage of the Air Force Academy," said 2nd. Lt. David Coombs of the 96th Security Forces Squadron.