LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from Hampton, Menchville and Lakeland High Schools could be seen marching on base in their blues, proud and excited. The cadets arrived here July 21 to attend the Langley Air Force Base cadet officer leadership school.
For Hampton High School cadets, the five-day leadership course is a prerequisite to attain officership in their third or fourth year of high school. For cadets who attend other schools, participation is highly encouraged by their unit.
The goal of the course is to help cadets develop leadership skills and self discipline.
"The course gives the cadets an opportunity to see how the active duty Air Force works," said retired Master Sgt. Nancy Brown, an instructor from Hampton High School who helped organize the summer program.
The cadets, ages 14 to 17, stayed in Boots Hall dormitory during their visit. They were supervised by a group of instructors, most of whom are retired Air Force members.
Cadets held leadership positions and helped instructors supervise fellow cadets. It was also their job to ensure the day's activities were carried out in a smooth fashion, said Sergeant Brown.
"It allows them to feel confident in handling a leadership position," said retired Maj. Dale Blake, the commandant of the leadership school. "When they go back they can step up to the plate and take command of their unit."
Cadets began their day at 5 a.m. with a one-mile run around the outdoor track for physical training. A physical fitness test consisting of push-ups, sit-ups and running was given at the end of the course.
After breakfast the instructors conducted a daily uniform and room inspection. Cadets then attended classes held at the Airman Leadership School which focused on team building, diversity and dress and appearance.
After class and dinner, the cadets practiced drill and played sports such as volleyball and kickball from 7 to 8 p.m. and went to bed at 10 p.m.
"It's a little like basic training," said Sergeant Brown. "The first day the cadets arrive to base, they hate the program but by the last day they're reluctant to leave."
On Wednesday the cadets went to Fort Eustis to learn about land navigation. A course was set up to teach the cadets how to use a compass and their new skills to find different locations.
"It's tough, a bit of a challenge, but we're having a lot of fun," said Cody Brewster, a cadet from Hampton High School.
During Shadow Day Thursday, the JROTC cadets followed active-duty Langley members from various career fields such as security forces, the fire department and civil engineering, and learned what they do on a daily basis.
Capt. Karen Henderson, the element chief at the 1st Fighter Wing clinic at NASA, escorted three cadets and gave them a tour of the facilities including the provider's officer, patient exam rooms, treatment rooms and the reception area, which helped the cadets see the difference between civilian and military clinics.
She also explained the peacetime mission of meeting the medical needs of dependents and the wartime mission.
"I volunteered to let cadets shadow me because I enjoy doing it," she said. "I volunteer every year because I want to contribute to the young generation. I want to show them a positive and different side of the Air Force."
Captain Henderson also shared her own experiences before joining the Air Force.
"My recruiter took me onto an air base and showed me everything and I really appreciated it," she said. "I'm returning the favor. I'm always actively recruiting."
"This whole experience has been an eye opener," said Cody Gaidowski, a cadet from Menchville High School. "It's interesting shadowing Captain Henderson- I can see how important her job is to the Air Force."