By Belinda Gonzalez
Special to The Collegian
Fresno State’s Air Force ROTC is preparing for a summer of mental and physical testing for the field training that is required to become an officer in the U.S. Air Force.
Capt. Darrin Eckles, operations officer and associate professor at Fresno State, said the corps will compete against 143 schools with AFROTC detachments across the nation for elite field training slots.
As part of their preparation, cadets volunteer additional time and effort doing physical fitness training and learning military lessons. They also learn more advanced marching techniques included in drill and ceremony.
Cadet Ronelle Say is preparing for field training and says it is mentally challenging.
“You are taken out of your comfort zone and learn to deal with different personalities and characters that you’re not used to dealing with,” Say said.
The situations get tougher, and as Eckles explained, it is a “right of passage”. This stepping stone, Say said, is what really helps with and focuses on mental strength.
“Field training preparation helps with fostering organization and prioritization,” Say said. “You literally force yourself to adapt to situations that arise and learn to figure it out or sacrifice what’s more important.”
Cadet Marlon Lewis completed field training in 2013 and earned the Superior Performer and Warrior Spirit Award.
“It tests your knowledge of drill and ceremony, warrior knowledge, and how you respond under pressure,” Lewis said. “It forces you to work together with cadets from other colleges and increases your leadership ability.”
The cadets will be selected for field training based on GPA, fitness score, SAT, ACT, or AFOQT (Air Force Officer Qualifying Test) and commanders’ rankings.
Last year, Fresno State had 14 out of 18 cadets selected for field training, and the year prior to that boasted one of the highest selection rates in the nation, with 22 out of 24 cadets selected.
If a cadet is not selected to field training, they have to extend their degree program by one year unless they are a five-year major. In that case, they simply apply again the same time the following year.
Field training takes place at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama for 12 training days, and then the cadets have 10 training days at Camp Shelby in Missouri to simulate the deployment environment.
Lewis said he made many great memories during his field training in 2013.
“I found a greater sense of pride in being an American citizen, let alone my excitement of becoming a future Air Force officer,” Lewis said.
“Some of my favorite memories were getting letters from loved ones back home, making lifelong friendships with cadets spanning from California to Florida and graduation,” he said. “Graduating from field training is still one of my greatest accomplishments, and nothing will ever match the feeling of earning your prop and wings.”