Troy cadet completes major milestone

A Troy University sophomore achieved a significant milestone by completing their first solo flight through Troy’s Air Force ROTC program.  

Cdt. Thomas Joseph Norris is a sophomore in Troy’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) from Millbrook, Alabama. Norris achieved his first solo flight over the summer.  

“Well, the night before I was like, I'm definitely not going to die,” Norris said. “I had to shake all the emotions off because it was very nerve-racking.  

“I didn't realize how big of a deal soloing was until the day I got there, so when I got there, I was like, this is crazy.” 

Prior to his first solo flight, Norris completed approximately 20 flights with assistance from his instructor in preparation for this achievement. Each individual flight ranges from one to two hours.  

The three best words Norris could use to describe the experience were: “Oh my goodness.” 

“I wasn’t really nervous when I got up to the plane, but the night before I was nervously studying,” Norris said. “Once I got to fly the plane, I knew I could do it because I did multiple landings before, so I knew I was fine. 

“My instructor trusted me, so I knew I was being dramatic that I might actually die.” 

Norris described the experience as surreal and something he couldn’t believe he had achieved.  

“Afterwards was when I really started feeling proud of myself,” Norris said. “At one point, the ceiling of the clouds was below 1,200 feet, and I had to land lower than I was supposed to, so I was pretty nervous, but it was so cool.” 

While this solo flight was a life-changing experience for Norris, he shared how else the AFROTC program has greatly impacted his life.  

“It just seemed like a good opportunity to learn how to lead,” Norris said. “I didn’t realize how many opportunities you have in the ROTC until I joined it. 

“I feel like I've become more organized, open to other people and have been able to get to know them. It’s such a tight knit community.”  

Norris was able to complete his first solo flight through a scholarship. While anyone in the program can apply for the scholarship, Norris emphasized the importance of putting in the effort. 

“I would not have been able to solo flight without getting this scholarship, so it was definitely a big opportunity,” Norris said. “If this scholarship had not paid for my solo flight, it would have been thousands of dollars. 

“Not everyone is eligible. You have to make yourself eligible, and you have to be able to work for it.” 

Norris encouraged anyone considering Air Force ROTC to do it and be ready to put in the work. 

“Join ROTC, and get after it because if you work for it, you’ll get opportunities that will pay it off,” Norris said. 

Those interested in joining Troy University’s ROTC program can fill out an Army or Air Force ROTC interest form found online under the Military and Families header, or by searching ROTC on troy.edu.