Distinguished educators gain first-hand experience during Maxwell visit

Representatives of 25 colleges and universities visited Maxwell last week to see first-hand Air Force ROTC programs in action and learn how their schools can support the corps. Visitors with the Distinguished Educators program watch ROTC cadets negotiate an obstacle at the Leadership Reaction Course. (U.S. Air Force/Stephen Hynes)

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Distinguished educators gain first-hand experience during Maxwell visit

Published June 18, 2010
By Maria Eller
Air University Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Twenty-five distinguished educators from colleges and universities around the United States and Puerto Rico completed a three-day visit to Maxwell Air Force Base on June 12.

The Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accession and Citizen Development provided the college and university representatives with an opportunity to witness first-hand the Reserve Officer Training Corps and Air Force education initiatives. The annual visit showed educators their role in assisting future officers through AFROTC and the Air Force's role in defense.

"This visit was an excellent look into the quality education programs available through the Air Force," said Richard Thomas Trusty II, chair of the Department of Engineering Technology at Trine University in Indiana. "I have always felt the Air Force was a great choice for highly intelligent men and women to serve our great nation. This solidified my thoughts with facts that definitely prove the quality."

As the Air Force's largest source of commissioned officers, it is crucial to build strong relationships between ROTC detachment commanders and university leadership, organizers of the visit said.

"Previously, prospective students inquiring about ROTC were asked to visit the ROTC office. Now, besides sending them to ROTC office, I can share with them some details and great opportunities the USAF provides for their education," said Krishnaswamy Ravindra, associate dean of Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology at Saint Louis University.

Among other activities, the group visited Blue Thunder, a ROTC summer training ground, and received briefings from Col. Timothy O'Brien, commandant of Officer Training School, and Col. J.C. Carter, vice commandant of Air War College. Col. John M. McCain, ROTC commander, gave the educators an overview of the AFROTC program.

"From my perspective, it was a tremendous success and we appreciated the opportunity to highlight our mission and showcase the superb professionals who make AFROTC a world-class organization. We thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue with our guests and found there are many common challenges between civilian universities and Air University," Colonel McCain said. "We received positive feedback from the educators, which is a testament to our project officers, Maj. Scott Gilson and Patricia Hough, who put together an exceptional tour for our visitors."