Holm Center hosts collegiate faculty members, administrators Published June 15, 2010 By Tech Sgt. Brannen Parrish Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development is hosting visitors from institutions of higher learning through Sunday. The Distinguished Educators Visit is a Reserve Officer Training Corps initiative that provides college and university representatives with a close-up perspective of ROTC and the Air Force. According to Brig. Gen. Terry Djuric, Holm Center commander, the visit provides an opportunity for the distinguished educators to witness first-hand the similarities between Air University and their institutions of higher learning. "They should recognize that most senior leaders in the DOD are graduates of an accredited military university like Air University. In fact, most of our ROTC professors of aerospace studies, who work at their universities, are graduates of Air University," General Djuric said. "This experience will help increase that bond between our ROTC detachment commanders and their university leadership; ROTC commanders are outstanding leaders and great resources for their university." Each attendee comes from a school with an active Air Force ROTC detachment or cross-town agreement. The mission of the Distinguished Educator Visit program is to educate and inform university leaders about the role of AFROTC and to encourage colleges and universities to support ROTC detachments. AFROTC is the service's largest and oldest source of commissioned officers with 144 detachments and 1,100 cross-town colleges and universities. Cross-town agreements allow students at schools without ROTC detachments to participate in nearby programs. About 1,800 second lieutenants receive commissions through AFROTC annually. Support of colleges and universities is necessary because their educators assist in developing future Air Force leaders. "The key elements of success for our AFROTC programs include quality students, great leadership in our detachments and a strong partnership with our host colleges and universities," said Col. John McCain, ROTC commander. "The Distinguished Educator Visit program gives AFROTC the chance to help grow this partnership and share a little about our mission and what a tremendous impact they can have on our programs. It's really about building and growing relationships with these education professionals who also play an important role in developing quality leaders for the Air Force." The group, comprised of 26 college and university-level educators from 19 states and Puerto Rico, is touring the base and visiting Air University centers and schools to witness the role Air University and the Holm Center play in developing officers throughout their careers. According to Colonel McCain, the diversity of visitors reflects the values embraced by the Air Force. "Diversity is a source of strength for our Air Force," said Colonel McCain. "It is part of what makes us the greatest air, space and cyberspace force in the world. Our professional officer corps comes from all walks of society and various cultural backgrounds, so we are certainly pleased to bring a diverse mix of education leaders to the 2010 Distinguished Educators Visit program."