Future Air Force leaders vist Barksdale

U.S. Air Force Academy and Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets perform a fartlek on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 7, 2015. A fartlek is a system of training in which the terrain and pace are continually varied to eliminate boredom and enhance psychological aspects of conditioning. The cadets were put through various workouts to help improve their physical training during their time on base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

Future Air Force leaders vist Barksdale

Master Sgt. Donald Ballard, 2nd Maintenance Group weapons standardization crew, gives a tour of the bomb-bay of a B-52 Stratofortress for U.S. Air Force Academy cadets on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 7, 2015. The cadets visited the base as part of the Operations Air Force Program, which is designed to give cadets an idea of what life is like for the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

Future Air Force leaders vist Barksdale

Col. West Anderson (ret.), The Boeing Company, speaks to U.S. Air Force Academy and Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets during a visit to the Cyber Innovation Center in Bossier City, La., July 7, 2015. Anderson served as the 2nd Bomb Wing vice commander and gave the cadets insight on his time in service and his new career. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

Future Air Force leaders visit Barksdale

Published July 9, 2015
By Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Have you ever saluted an individual who wasn't an officer?

Their shiny rank may be confusing and from a distance they appear to be lieutenants, or you may have noticed that they were Air Force Academy and Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets touring the base.

"The Operations Air Force Program is a summer program for the cadets going into their sophomore and junior years [of college]," said Maj. Matt Gross, 2nd Medical Squadron medical logistics flight commander. "It's a two-week program and Barksdale is hosting three sessions."

The program is designed for cadets to experience what life is like in the Air Force and let them see the different jobs they may like to do.

"They've gotten a lot of exposure here to include things like the initial Barksdale's Best brief, they've had aircrew training, ejection seat and parachute training," said Gross. "About half of them received incentive flights to fly around the country."

When the cadets weren't visiting units in groups, they each shadowed career fields of their own interest.

"I really enjoyed the specific career shadow days," said Phillip Resnick, Air Force Academy cadet. "This allowed me to have a better understanding and appreciation for the specific Air Force Specialty Codes, so at the end of my junior year when I'm putting down my job preferences, I'll have a good sense of what I'm signing up for."

Cadet Jordan Boyce was able to see first-hand what enlisted Airmen his age are doing on base.

"I was at maintenance and there was a lieutenant who explained to us that he has a 19 year-old Airman who's helping to fix engines on planes," said Boyce.

Boyce said this was something he couldn't have done at the age of 19 and now has a better understanding that everyone's job is important.

Not only has this experience given the cadets a feel for active duty, but the Airmen on base received invaluable training as well.

"The cadets let us validate our training protocols through their questions and feedbacks," said Gross. "Getting good feedback during these visits helps to let others know that not everyone is from their particular AFSC, so they need to slow down and explain things a little more."

No matter what AFSC these cadets enter, they are our future leaders and one day soon, we'll find ourselves saluting them for commissioning as a second lieutenant.