AFROTC graduates look back on their time at Troy

Troy’s Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) program has five seniors graduating this spring. The five reflected on their time in the program and the original reason they joined. 

“The reason that I joined Air Force ROTC is that I've always known that I wanted to serve in the military in some form or fashion,” said Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Smith, the A3A5 Directorate, and a criminal justice major from Greenville, Alabama. “I wanted to follow the footsteps of both my grandfathers, who were enlisted in the Air Force. 

“I have a passion for flying and found out the only way to be a pilot in the Air Force is to be an officer.” 

The five will now be leaving Troy and spreading across the country to continue their training. 

“I'm going in as a 13 Bravo, Air Battle Manager, or as I like to call it, a weapons employment coordinator,” said Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Gray, the Vice Wing Commander for Detachment 17, and a business management major from Enterprise, Alabama. “It's going to be a fun time.  

“We initially started our training at Tyndall Air Force Base for about six and a half months, and we can choose after that where we want to go.” 

When reflecting on their time with the unit, the group remembered great times in Troy. They also remembered the opportunities they earned in their time with AFROTC. 

“This summer, I had the opportunity to go to the United States Air Force Academy and do our jump school,” said Cadet Lieutenant Colonel McElrath, the A1 director and psychology major from Millbrook, Alabama. “This is where we complete five free-fall skydives from 5,000 feet in elevation to earn our jump wings.  

“It truly was a situation where it seemed impossible in the moment, but being able to get that done and being in the air that high and then being able to have the scene of Colorado from an aerial view, it truly was something that I'll never forget.” 

While they are leaving, the seniors said they understand how much this program has not only helped prepare them for their future military careers but also helped build connections that will last a lifetime. 

“It's the camaraderie and the blessing of us being a smaller detachment,” said Cadet Colonel Ciurleo, the wing commander for Detachment 17, and an applied sciences and resource and technology management major from Crestview, Florida. “We know each other by first name, and the area of Troy in general is just a family-oriented place.  

“It builds your character, your leadership and discipline. It’s OK to make those mistakes. This is the place to learn from it.” 

The group will now enjoy their final days in Troy until they head across the country, applying what they learned in Troy’s AFROTC program elsewhere. Thoseinterested in joining can find their Instagram @afrotcdet017.