University of Arkansas ThunderHawgs Ace Field Training at Maxwell Air Force Base

Cy Deleeuw

Cadets in the Pulling a Humvee Exercise at Field Training

Each year, Detachment 030, along with 144 other detachments around the country, send their best sophomore cadets to field training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, as they transition to the Professional Officer Course. This year the ThunderHawgs from the University of Arkansas distinguished themselves yet again, taking more than their fair share of accolades from field training. 

A total of 15 ThunderHawgs completed their field training this summer. There were two Distinguished Graduates, ranked among the top 10 percent of the approximately 1,600 cadets attending, and one Superior Performer, ranked in the top 20 percent of the group, along with one Honor Flight designee, which is a rare feat.

Three members showed such promise and expertise that they were invited to come back the following year to serve as Cadet Training Assistants. Only 5 percent of AFROTC cadets are extended the invitation and even fewer serve in the position. It is considered one of the highest honors in AFROTC to serve as a CTA.

When these cadets pass field training, they come back to the U of A and contract with the Air Force for the remainder of their academic career. They are referred to as being in the Professional Officers Course, which now numbers 32 strong and includes four Distinguished Graduates and four Superior Performers. Every one of your POCs embodies servant leadership and excellence in all they do, with integrity beyond reproach. From this mettle the Air Force ROTC continues to forge tomorrow's air and space power leaders.