Photo By Sgt. Jonathan Thibault | Lts. Clayton Austin and Ryan Granier, both from 2nd General Support Aviation...... read more read more
BOULDER, Colo. - Pilots with the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade mentored ROTC cadets from the University of Colorado Boulder at the Boulder Municipal Airport, Sept. 18.
Helicopter pilots assigned to 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th CAB, 4th Infantry Division, discussed aviation opportunities in the Army with the cadets.
“We visited the cadets to give them a capabilities brief of the UH-60L Black Hawk and explain the air movement request process, discuss air to ground integration and the path from cadet to aviation officer,” said 1st Lt. Clayton Austin, assistant operations officer, 2nd GSAB, 4th Aviation Regiment. “We wanted to inform the cadets about their possible decision to become aviation officers, so they can ultimately make a well-informed decision.”
The aviators felt privileged to mentor the cadets and found it as another opportunity to foster a relationship with the surrounding Colorado communities.
“Our leadership (believes) it is important to establish a working relationship with our communities,” said Austin.
“It is important for 4th CAB to reach out to mentor the cadets to further prepare those that may be future leaders in the aviation community and provide the best leadership we can to the branch and to the Army. I feel extremely privileged to take part in this mentorship opportunity and to impart my experiences on them. I wish I could have had mentors talk to me when I was a cadet,” said Austin.
He said the cadets were receptive to the information and that he believes they are better prepared to make an informed decision about a possible career in the Army.
“I do believe that some of them will become aviation officers due to their overall motivation,” said Austin.
Austin said he and 1st Lt. Ryan Granier, UH-60 Black Hawk pilot, 2nd GSAB, 4th Aviation Regiment, pinpointed key focal points for the cadets to “ensure they set themselves up for success to receive a slot into the aviation community.”
Cadets said they found the visit informative and look forward to becoming aviation commissioned officers.
“We try to educate our cadets of all the branches that the Army has to offer,” said Capt. William Fehranbach, assistant professor of military science at CU. “We want to help them set up their goals and understand the importance of each branch’s mission. The CAB gave us a chance to help show the leadership qualities and capabilities that Army aviators possess and what our cadets need to strive for to become Army pilots.”
Some cadets have deep-seated roots for their love of aviation and hope to pursue it as they enter their Army career.
“My grandfather and father were pilots in the Air Force,” said CU ROTC Cadet Adam Kaelian. “I am a Simultaneous Military Program cadet, which means I’m an ROTC cadet and an Army Reservist in an aviation unit. Ever since I was young, I wanted to fly. Every time I’m around aircraft (it) makes me want to become an aviator (even) more.”
| Date Taken: | 09.18.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2014 13:47 |
| Story ID: | 143390 |
| Location: | BOULDER, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 68 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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