MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadre and 34 cadet training assistants took time before welcoming another wave of field training cadets to educate themselves on the history of social injustices and racial discord, July 17, 2020, Montgomery, Alabama.
The excursion was planned with the hopes that it would help the soon-to-be officers develop the emotional intelligence required to lead, mentor and counsel Airmen of all backgrounds.
“Everyone in the Air Force matters, every Airman,” said Col. Fredrick Thaden, Air Force ROTC field training commander. “We all contribute something to the fight and bringing them [the cadet training assistants] here through this experience helps them understand how we are stronger through our diversity.”
The group visited three museums in the downtown Montgomery area: The Freedom Riders Museum, The National Memorial of Peace and Justice and The Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Museum.
"Without true equality, there can't be unity," said Lt. Col. Michael King, commander of Air Force ROTC Detachment 015 at Tuskegee University. "We can get the mission done, but can we ever truly be unified in our cause?...so for me that's the significance, building that foundation so we can begin to see why people are where they are and then pledge to move forward in a spirit of equality."