When a large group of University of Arizona Air Force ROTC cadets filed into a South Hall conference room the morning of Jan. 15, they expected business as usual from the command staff. Instead, they found a surprise that stopped them in their tracks.

Greeting the students on a large television screen was Col. Eugene Moore III, Air Force ROTC headquarters commander, who congratulated the cadets for earning the title of best large detachment of the 145 Air Force ROTC units in the nation. Known as the Right of Line Award, the recognition is based on cadet performance in basic training and group competitions, community service, officer production, recruiting and scholarship rates.

"Your commitment to excellence sets the standard for the entire Air Force ROTC enterprise," Moore said. "Aim high and bear down, Wildcat Wing."

The Reserve Officers' Training Corps, also known as ROTC, is a college-based program which trains future commissioned officers of the United States armed forces. The U of A ROTC hosts Air Force, Army and Navy ROTC units through the Dean of Students Office. 

"ROTC has a long history at the University of Arizona, and our cadets and command staff are outstanding," said Chrissy Lieberman, dean of students. "We are so grateful for the leadership and mentoring demonstrated in the program throughout the years. The recognition of our Wildcat Wing is well deserved, and a point of pride for the Dean of Students Office and the institution."

The university's Air Force detachment, the Wildcat Wing, currently hosts 140 cadets, including 23 planning to graduate this May and earn their commission. At the helm is Col. Cory Christoffer, a 28-year Air Force veteran who takes very seriously the responsibility of training and imparting wisdom to his students – and commends them for their recent award.

"We wouldn't be named 'best in the nation' if it weren't for the hardworking staff and cadets of this detachment," he said. "This is an amazing group of people who strive for great heights, while making sure to support each other on their journey to becoming the best new officers in the world's greatest air force and space force."

Lessons in leadership

Among the cadets listening to Col. Moore's announcement that morning was Ysabel Dodson, a third-year student studying criminal justice in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. 

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A first-generation Wildcat who transferred to the U of A after earning an associate's degree from Cochise College, Dodson joined the Wildcat Wing on the advice of her older brother, an enlisted member of the Air Force. Despite a lack of knowledge on her part when she started the program, Dodson called joining the ROTC "the best decision I ever made."

"Winning the Right of Line Award definitely assured me that I made the right choice when I joined the ROTC," she said. "As long as you put in the effort, stay positive, disciplined and supportive, literally anything is possible. Col. Christoffer reinforces that every single day."

In addition to her regular responsibilities as a student and cadet, Dodson is one of the detachment's flight commanders. The role involves preparing newer cadets for the daily rigors of the program, as well as the Professional Officer Course that begins in their third year.

"I want to make sure the cadets understand and adopt good judgement and strong decision-making skills," Dodson said. "A good leader is someone who embodies reliability and humility while getting the mission done, and I want to be the kind of person that people can follow in life."

Becoming a future leader begins early every Monday morning for students like Dodson, most of whom begin, bisect and end their week with physical training before carrying on with both their regular classwork and the additional academic requirements involved in ROTC. 

Whether a member of the Army, Air Force or Navy program, students complete specialized courses that focus on leadership development, military history and technical skills like maritime navigation and aeronautics. The program also includes a combination lecture-lab course that provides students with the basics of drill, dress code and other procedures – as well as time for the cadets and midshipmen to socialize.

While preparing for a future military career can feel like a full-time obligation, the students also contend with the responsibilities of college life: social commitments, homework, tests, lab work and studying. In order to keep up with such a demanding schedule, ROTC members are expected to manage their time on an hourly basis and support one another in challenging times.

For Dodson, that support comes from her fellow cadets, family, friends and loved ones, as well as the Fly Girls student group, of which she is the current president. A peer mentorship organization which promotes career development and community for women, Fly Girls is named in honor of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, who served as aviators in World War II.

Focused on the future

Whether exemplified by Christoffer's dedication to excellence or Dodson's commitment to uplifting her fellow cadets, the mission of ROTC is to build a culture of mentorship and resilience that prepares students for the demands of being an officer in the armed forces, said Blaze Smith, director of the program as well as Veterans Education and Transition Services.

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"Regardless of branch, it is our responsibility to train people who are service-oriented and interested in supporting their soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and guardians," Smith said. "I think the true goal of any ROTC program is to build people into the best version of themselves – academically, mentally and physically – so that their whole life is built around developing their own potential." 

In addition to the Air Force ROTC's Right of Line Award, the Army and Navy branches are strengthening internal operations and expanding their impact within the community. Smith pointed to an upcoming nursing program available through the Naval unit, as well as the Army ROTC's success in launching the Arizona Center for the Missing in Action, which will partner with the Defense Department POW/MIA Accounting Agency to recover the remains of missing servicemembers around the world with the help of Wildcats.

"I hope that the people in Tucson can see how much great work their local ROTC program is doing, both within their own community and throughout the region," Smith said. "It is always our goal to create the best ROTC program possible, by providing new educational opportunities, support and scholarships so that any student who wants to, can be a part of this program and succeed. That's what it's all about."