ArnoldAirSociety

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By: Red Flags Candidate Class - Spring 08

BEEEEP BEEEEEP BEEEEEP. Ah, it's 0400 on Saturday morning. As the typical college student has just stumbled in from a late night out, the "Red Flags", a group of Arnold Air Society candidates, are waking up to prepare themselves for another challenging training session. Dedication like this comes far and few between. The training sessions are not excruciatingly painful, but they certainly require giving it 100%. Both candidates and actives sacrifice their Saturday mornings to better themselves as cadets. For candidates, this means sacrificing their Friday nights as well to make sure they are both mentally and physically prepared for the quizzes, physical training, and stressful environments in which they face during training sessions.

The mission of Arnold Air Society (AAS) is to enhance the Air Force Officer Training Corps and the United States Air Force Academy commissioning programs to project the United States Air Force image on campus and in the community. Active members have already done so this semester by participating in a service project which has helped feed the needy in the area. Currently, the candidates are organizing a community service event to assist the Association for the Protection of Animals in Granite City, IL. Events like this help display the core value of "service before self" around the community. Additionally, the candidates are planning a fundraising event at Scott Trade Center and a POW/MIA awareness event. Obviously, AAS is proven to be more than your ordinary extracurricular activity.

So far, the AAS candidates have completed five training sessions. They are motivated and eager to complete their training and become active members of AAS. The Candidates work together as much as possible to improve their skills and become closer to each other. None of the cadets have had problems with the training process or manner in which they are treated. They know that there is a purpose to being pushed this hard and are ready and willing to go through with it. As the candidates speak with their mentors they learn how Arnold Air Society works and get to see what it takes to be a member. C/Bolda said this about meeting with his mentor, "My mentor and I are really getting to know each other... He gives me advice on how to improve in ROTC. We even plan on meeting sometime to play racquet ball"

The candidates meet at least once a week outside of training sessions to collaborate on tasks as well as practice drill. They openly communicate with each other via email and over the phone. Red Flag commanders are able to control the flight and do an exceptional job of tasking individuals to complete duties before the next training session. After completing the PFT last week, the candidates noticed that just a few weekend PT sessions done at AAS helped to improve their scores.

Like every team, the Red Flags know they need some improvement. Together they believe that they could improve on moving with a sense of urgency, commanding the flight in drill, and maintaining military bearing. On a more positive note, they agree to having strengths in motivation, trusting each other, working together, and complete ting tasks. All of the Red Flags agree that they are improving a lot in all they do.

To the candidates, AAS is an opportunity to show their potential and set themselves apart from the rest of the cadets in ROTC. As individuals and as a team, the Red Flags seek excellence and will not allow for them to be considered mediocre. It's important to them to be loyal and honorable to their peers and superiors. They are committed to their work as cadets and as AAS candidates. All of the candidates are thankful for the chances they are given to communicate with the actives, form friendships amongst one another in the candidate class, and develop into positive role models.

Actives Fall 2007

Back: C/Maj Aird, C/Capt Reineke, C/Maj Tempia, C/Maj DiMercurio.
Front: C/1Lt Cizewski, C/Capt Buzzetta, C/Maj Dougherty.

Actives Spring 2008