Approximately 100 Reserve Officer Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) cadets from the University of Missouri (Mizzou) participated in incentive flights at the Columbia, Mo. airport October 12, 2022 in partnership with the Missouri Army National Guard.
The Missouri Army National Guard provided three UH-60 Blackhawks, pilots, and crew chiefs from the 1-135th Aviation Regiment and Joint Force Headquarters to give R.O.T.C. cadets a chance to participate in incentive flights. These flights serve as a recruiting and retention partnership in the hopes of getting some cadets into the aviation field.
Cadets from all class levels descended on the airport to learn more about aviation and have fun flying in Blackhawks, many of whom had never flown in a helicopter. In a pre-flight briefing, Lt. Col. Paul Howerton, 35th Combat Aviation Brigade Commander provided remarks about serving in the Missouri National Guard. "As an aviation officer or Warrant Officer in the National Guard, we have four jobs: our M-day job, our full-time civilian job, our required flight hours, and we have to take care of our families," Howerton said. "But your job here today is…just have fun."
Senior Cadet Sabien Kent, the class S3 (operations officer), is studying linguistics at Mizzou and will graduate in May 2023. Initially, he chose to go through R.O.T.C. because of the full scholarship he is receiving. But now, Kent said, "I love the idea of being part of a team. Today we get to see an amazing moral-boosting event, and I hope this event today will help improve our relationship with Mizzou and the Missouri National Guard. Everyone here is really excited." Kent's father spent 21 years in the Army as a Chemical Corps officer and later as a Professor of Military Science.
In attendance was Mizzou's Chancellor and President, Dr. Mun Choi, who also participated in the flights. After the flight, Dr. Choi remarked, “As I watch these future leaders work hard on developing their leadership, it’s remarkable to know that they may someday be defending our country. As President and Chancellor of Mizzou, I couldn’t be more proud of them. I'm so grateful to the National Guard for making this
possible.”
If you're interested in joining the Missouri National Guard, you can find your local recruiter at https://www.moguard.ngb.mil/-GoMoGuard/.
| Date Taken: | 10.15.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.15.2022 16:13 |
| Story ID: | 431400 |
| Location: | COLUMBIA, MO, US |
| Web Views: | 75 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Cadets on Cloud Nine, partner with the Missouri National Guard, by MAJ Jeremy Idleman, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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