Troy Cadet the first to receive badge of honor

A Troy University cadet is the first to receive the Cadet Remotely Piloted Aircraft Badge through earning his Federal Aviation Administration Small Unmanned Aircraft System certification.  

Cadet Lunsford, who has been involved in Troy’s Air Force ROTC program for the past two years, completed the Part 107 test to receive his drone license.  

This new badge just received clearance from the ROTC headquarters, testing cadets on drone operations and aviation knowledge, making Cadet Lunsford the first to receive it.  

“I was a little dazed and confused at first,” Lunsford said.  

“We were sitting in our lead lab and then they brought me up to the front and presented it to me.  

“It was definitely exciting not only to receive the badge, but to now be able to understand that we can get that to our people and get our cadets those badges.” 

Lunsford said this badge means a lot to him, and he can’t wait to help other cadets receive the badge of honor as well.  

“It's becoming our way of life at this point,” Lunsford said. “For me, the badge is not just a rite of passage, but it’s also like we’re making history.  

“Our cadets that are attaining these badges as we go along are the first cadets to get them.  

One hundred years from now, cadets are going to say, ‘Oh, this is something I heard about,’ but our cadets are making that history right now, so that’s what means the most to me.”  

Lunsford said being in the Air Force ROTC can be challenging at times but is completely worth it.  

“Personal discipline is key,” Lunsford said.  

“It's a lot of work and time management, but as far as personal rewards, the gratification of getting stuff done and leading people is unmatched.”  

Lunsford is also the director of the drone program here at Troy University. Lunsford grew interested in drone aviation through a course where he learned the history and operations of drones.  

Commander Alon came up with the idea for the program and left it in the hands of Lunsford.  

“Commander Alon brought the idea to me last year,” Lunsford said.  

“I was the only person that had already completed the test, so I told him I'm here to help.  

“Then this semester, we just started from the ground up.  

He said, ‘Here’s what I want and go have fun,’ so that level of trust that was given to me and that level of empowerment was very encouraging.” 

Lunsford teaches a weekly, hour-long drone class to ROTC cadets to help them improve their aeronautical knowledge in preparation for the Part 107 test.  

Troy’s drone program drone sizes can range from 0.55 pounds to 55 pounds.  

“Flying is flying,” Lunsford said. “Whether you’re flying in a fighter jet or you’re flying in a small airplane or flying a drone, it’s just a nice alternative, and it’s also been more convenient.  

“It’s just a very fun thing to be able to control an aircraft, especially the mission that a drone can fulfill such as taking pictures or taking videos is just very unique.” 

Lunsford emphasized how this drone program will teach cadets not only aviation skills but life skills.   

“I absolutely love it,” Lunsford said. “It’s like a passion.  

“Some people call it an addiction, but I call it an obsession.  

It's not only fun to just fly below aircraft, but it also introduces a lot of skills that are practical for Air Force officers as well as people in general.  

Stuff like mission planning, critical thinking, decision making, thinking under pressure and planning for an event can give these cadets those kinds of skills.”  

Lunsford shared what he hopes comes from this new drone program and how it will help future cadets.  

“It's hard to say where the future is for us right now, but my intent at least for the near future is to get more cadets that badge and get more cadets that test completed,” Lunsford said.  

“It’s also to get more people interested in aviation and keep teaching these cadets practical things and life skills.  

“We're super excited for it. Hopefully, in the future, we can start doing stuff for the university, and if anybody needs anything in that capacity, whatever it may look like, hopefully we can be able to help out.”