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Metro hosts Air Force Leadership Lab
By Jenny Albers
jalbers@mscd.edu

Metro hosted its first Leadership Lab, or LLAB, for the 105th detachment of the U.S. Air Force ROTC program Oct. 19 at St. Cajetan’s.

Aaron Buob, a junior, organized the meeting because of the growing number of cadets attending Metro, now at approximately 25. There are about 200 cadets from 12 area colleges in the entire detachment.

The AFROTC is a four-year program, giving cadets a chance to earn their degree while training for the Air Force.

Metro senior Ryan Eriksen described it as being a two-part program.

“The first two years are about followership, and the last two are about leadership,” he said.

The program allows cadets to start a career right out of college and also gives them the opportunity to travel.

“When we commission, we can go anywhere in the world,” Eriksen said.

“We pretty much have our path already set,” said Metro junior Mike Getha, public affairs officer for the 105th cadet wing.

About one-half of the cadets are on scholarships. There are two different types of scholarships: a four-year scholarship for high school freshman and an in-college scholarship.

Capt. Patrick Hermes explained that more scholarships are available for in-demand careers such as nursing and engineering.

LLAB meets Thursday evenings and give cadets a chance to learn as well as demonstrate their leadership skills.

Hermes described the LLAB as being the “primary time that all cadets come together.”

Hermes said one focus of the LLAB is for upperclassmen to demonstrate leadership skills so they will be prepared for duty.

“The whole activity is run by upperclassmen,” Hermes said.

Since meetings are run by upperclassmen, younger cadets learn by observing.

“We are the ones that train each other,” Getha said.

Each meeting consists of a briefing, drill exercises and squadron learning sessions covering topics such as administrative duties, saluting and drill.

Col. Linda Aldrich began the briefing by sharing her expectations for the cadets. She stressed the importance of pride, safety and being good at what you do. She also pointed out the seriousness of being good to one another, as a cadet never knows whom they may be working for.

She went on to explain how following and leading are equally important in the Air Force. “Be as good a follower as you are a leader,” Aldrich said.

The briefing covered topics such as the honor code, building good character, expectations in the Air Force, and the Operation Air Force base visit.

One highlight of the evening was the Metro knowledge hunt. Eleven Metro cadets were positioned around campus and given two questions about the campus for each squadron to answer. Whichever squadron came up with the correct answers first was the winner.

The December commissioning ceremony, in which cadets officially begin active duty in the Air Force, will be held at St. Cajetan’s.

For more information on the AFROTC program visit http://www.afrotc.com or http://www.colorado.edu/AFROTC, or e-mail brian.dougal@colorado.edu with any questions regarding the program.