University of Iowa Air Force ROTC

05/18/2022

Congratulations to our commissioning cadets! Fly high in the Big Blue! ✈️

05/17/2022

Last but not least, C/Hjelmaas is next in the spotlight!

Cadet Hjelmaas is a fourth-year graduate student graduating with a law degree and a master’s degree in business analytics. He will be joining the JAG Corps upon commissioning and will report to the Judge Advocate Staff Officer Course this fall at Maxwell AFB. His favorite memory from AFROTC is being on the field at Kinnick Stadium for the military appreciation game. His advice for cadets going through the program is to be a team player, focus on the things you can control, and enjoy the experience. Fun facts: he enjoys distance running and is a huge Star Wars fan.

05/16/2022

Almost done, C/Schmidt is next in the spotlight!

C/Schmidt is graduating with a major in International Relations with an interest in conflict and Foreign Policy. He is commissioning as 31PX Security Forces and going to Whiteman Air force Base. His favorite hobbies include reading, watching TV, playing video games or consuming any other media with a good story, walking, and spending time with his cats and dog. Some fun facts are that he is a 3rd Degree Black belt, he’s cut the tip of his finger off twice, and he has only learned how to read so he could play the original Pokemon games.

His Favorite Things about AFROTC: “Its a place where you can fail and you aren't punished, just given guidance on how to do better”. His advice for cadets: “Learn how to prioritize your time and realize those priorities will change. When I started the Program I loved and was very involved in Greek life (as an example) but the further along in college I got, the less time I had and I had to cut time from somewhere. Although I loved Greek life, I realized that the connections and time spent in ROTC were going to be more important in my personal future than I would have gotten in Greek life.”

05/15/2022

C/Grissinger is up next!

Cadet (now 2LT) Grissinger is graduating with the following degrees: Bachelors of Arts in (BA) Public Health, Minor in Aerospace Studies and a Certificate in Intercultural Communication and Leadership. She will be commissioning as a Logistics Readiness Officer at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Her favorite hobbies include anything outdoors and she enjoys challenging herself. She spends as much time as she can backpacking and climbing mountains. She enjoys fishing with her fiancé' and taking their canoe out for a paddle. When she can she enjoys painting, building things, and just about anything where she gets to use her hands and be creative.

Some fun facts about her are that she is the first in her family to graduate from college, and also to commission instead of enlisting.

Her favorite things about AFROTC are that she loves that it gives you a close sense of community on such a large campus. “I loved all the PDT opportunities I had during my Air Force ROTC Career: Ops Air Force, NCLS, and even Field Training.”

Her advice for cadets looking to join the program: “ROTC is worth the time, graduating and knowing my job and where I am moving to makes all the early mornings more than worth it! Also, everyone’s timeline is different, whether you do the program in 2 years, or if your like me and it takes 5 years, you will still end up with a commission in the end.”

05/14/2022

C/Salcido is in the spotlight today!

Cadet Salcido will be graduating with a degree in Computer Science, and will be training to become a Cyber Ops officer at Keesler AFB, Mississippi. He enjoys weightlifting, skating and running. He is also the Vice President of the Esports at Iowa club and runs the Smash Bros division. His favorite things about AFROTC are the people, the opportunities for self development and waking up at 5 am to run the PFA.

His advice for cadets in the program is to ask yourself how you can help your team and your people. Ask for help, give help when asked and always strive to push yourself, it’s okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them. Be proud of what you have and what you will accomplish in the program, even if things don’t work out how you expected.

05/13/2022

C/Pisney is the third AS400 cadet in the spotlight!

She is graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing, will be commissioning into the Air Force as a nurse, and hopes to one day become a flight nurse. In her free time she enjoys running, gardening, and learning how to ice skate.

A fun fact about her is that she grew up on an acreage/hobby farm and had pet chickens when she was little.

Her favorite thing about ROTC is the amazing people she has gotten to meet and work with throughout the last four years. “They build you up, help you pick out your mistakes, and build your confidence to be the best leader you can be.”

Her best advice for those thinking about joining the program is to fully participate in the program and figure out what you can bring to the table. Not everyone has to be a super outgoing person coming in, but everyone has to work hard to do their best.

05/12/2022

05/11/2022

Next in the spotlight is C/Zeller!

C/Zeller is a Human Physiology major with a chemistry minor. He will be an Aircraft maintenance officer and will be stationed at Nellis AFB, Nevada. He enjoys working out and hanging out with friends. A fun fact about him is that he grew up as a military child and moved a total of 8 times!

His favorite things about AFROTC are all the great people he had the opportunity to meet and become friends with. He got to work with many amazing cadets and cadre who helped to significantly improve his confidence and leadership skills.

His advice for cadets looking to join the program is to give it a chance, even if its a just a week. There are tons of friendly and welcoming cadets who will show you what it means to be an Air Force cadet. You never know how much you might end up liking it.

05/10/2022

The first AS400 in the spotlight this week is C/Jones!

C/Jones is preparing to graduate with a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering. He will be commissioning as a Helicopter Pilot and is headed to Fort Rucker, AL for his training. Following his training he plans on being a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) pilot. His goals stems from his career in college as a Firefighter/Medic where he responded to house fires, vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies. While awaiting training, he was hired as a Commissioning Engineer for a company downtown Chicago and is excited to get started. A fun fact about C/Jones is that he enjoys traveling and has traveled to 25 states, 3 countries, and is excited to add many more! His advice to all new cadets is to network and get involved, "Some great friends have come from the traveling opportunities AFROTC has given me!"

05/09/2022

Last Newsletter of the semester!

05/09/2022

Week 15!
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On Monday, cadets participated in the Detachment Olympics at the Cretzmeyer track.
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On Wednesday, cadets played lawn games at the detachment.
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At LLAB on Thursday, cadets performed the change of command ceremony and Echo and Delta flights presented their flight tiles.