LUBBOCK, TX – It finally happened. High school ended and that closed a chapter in my life. Soon, a new one would be starting with more opportunity and responsibility. The transition into Texas Tech University has been the biggest step I have ever taken. This is the first time that I have lived away from family, friends, and my fellow cadets at Pegasus Composite Squadron. I miss them all already, but I'm also excited about the people I'll meet and get to who at this, my new home.
Before graduating from school, I'd already found a home – Detachment 820, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Texas Tech. On a visit to the campus last March, I went to their office to learn more about the program and liked what I heard. Everybody I talked to was nice and gave great information about AFROTC. I wanted in right away. Unfortunately, I would have to wait several months before I could be part of it.
Five months later, I attended their before-school event, called Cross Into the Blue, which they hold for all incoming freshmen who want to be in AFROTC. Once again, the professionalism I found was quite remarkable. The cadets who helped out during the day answered all questions and shared with us their own experiences at the detachment. I also met many of the cadets who were getting their uniforms. All of us were from different places, and we had a common goal – becoming Air Force Officers. "I want to be a pilot," was the most common statement I heard.
A week later, at four in the afternoon, my first class – they called it a Leadership Lab – took place in Holden Hall. Everybody was there. just as they had been at Cross Into the Blue. More information was presented about standards and the way things ought to be. It is pretty much the same as the U.S. Civil Air Patrol, but I don't know what the regulations say about tattoos. Basically, all of my CAP knowledge is transferring very well to AFROTC. Without CAP, I would definitely be feeling lost and confused by now.
My first PT work-out was (and always will be) at 6:10 in the morning. This was a Friday. The way it works is simple, PT is held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Cadets must attend two of those days. It doesn't matter which days you pick, just as long as you show up for two. PT uniforms are blue running shorts with a light grey t-shirt – both are covered in Air Force logos. At our first meeting at the Student Recreation Center, paperwork was the main exercise of the day. When I was approaching the Rec Center it was dark outside, so the bright lights pouring out the buildings made them look like great castles. The campus is peaceful at six in the morning. An hour later, as I was leaving the Rec Center, the sun hadn't come up yet. Still dark. Next week, we'll begin to exercise for real.
At ten the very same day, I am back at Holden Hall to take my Foundations of the Air Force class. This is for all brand-new cadets and covers everything about the Air Force, from today's uniforms going all the way back to the separation of the Army Air Corps. It is sort of a history class about the Air Force
Besides AFROTC, I've been immersed in this new culture that is college life. My first day of class was absolutely amazing. Walking to class, I'm in the middle of hundreds of people going to their classes as well. It's like a small city filled with a bunch of teenagers. My math class was in a lecture hall with about a hundred other students. Most of my classes are like this, so it has the sense of making you feel small and inconsequential. Nevertheless, attendance is taken at every class.
It is really cool to go work out at two in the afternoon, after I've gone to all my classes. Others are actually in class, and I'm going to go have some fun. That is an interesting feeling. I work out every day, so I can put some distance between me and the classroom environment, and relieve stress too. With a student Rec Center as nice as the one here at Texas Tech, it's hard to stay away. Racquetball is a popular game here and I have played a lot with my friends. I can't wait until football starts.
Sometimes, when I'm sitting in class, the thought hits me that I'm actually in college. I always knew I would go to a four-year school, but it had always been so far down the road that I never imagined what it would be like. Time never stops. Already I feel that I have accomplished a lot in only my first week of class.
College is something everybody should strive to attend, because there is no place else in the world that has an atmosphere or a spirit quite like this.
Article submitted by C/SSgt Evan Petrosky