During his four years in the University of Arizona's Air Force ROTC program, Bridger Frost has collected experiences many would consider the perfect launchpad for a successful military career. He's led dozens of cadets in their volunteer duties at major air shows, assisted Super Bowl operations and flown aboard both a Black Hawk helicopter and C‑130 Hercules. 

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But none of those moments compare to the crowning achievement of his Wildcat journey: taking control of an F‑16 fighter jet. 

Frost's trip through the clouds took place in January at the nearby Morris Air National Guard Base, where his day began alongside nine other Wildcats who earned a spot in the U.S. Air Force flight training program. The students participated in a briefing alongside the 162nd Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard, then joined their instructors on the tarmac.

Before long, Frost found himself sitting tandem in one of the nimble, supersonic fighter planes with his hand on the stick as Southern Arizona zipped by beneath him. He called that moment "the perfect primer for my career ambitions." 

"I was actually the one pulling the upside-down loop, and it was such an intense feeling to see things inverted like that," Frost said. "The G forces you experience during the turns are surreal, and I can't really put that feeling into words – but I know that I was smiling from ear to ear the whole time."

Frost and his colleagues have Col. Cory Christoffer to thank for the experience. A professor of military aerospace studies and commander of the U of A's Air Force ROTC program, Christoffer is not only responsible for day-to-day operations of the detachment but providing unique and challenging experiences for his cadets that prepare them for the realities of military life.

"My favorite part is when they are back on the ground and they tell me it was the best time of their life," Christoffer said. "That makes me feel good as their commander, because it lets me know we're doing something right."

Business management and managing busy cadets

Frost will graduate later this month with a degree in business management from the Eller College of Management. That road began in high school when his father, a pilot for Delta Airlines, helped his son invest his own money in the company. Before he worked for Delta, Frost's father piloted a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker in the Air National Guard, where he served for 31 years. His father, Frost's grandfather, also served in the national guard – as do both of Frost's sisters, who are currently deployed.

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Frost wanted to attend the United States Air Force Academy located in Colorado Springs, but a torn ACL his senior year of high school led to medical disqualification and a new trajectory. He quickly pivoted to the U of A and ROTC, despite knowing relatively little about the program when he enrolled. 

Now at the end of his undergraduate journey, Frost concluded his time with the Wildcat Wing in a student leadership position. As the detachment's wing commander, he is expected to not only adhere to the program's rigorous standards but uplift his fellow Wildcats during the various trials and tribulations that take place over the course of ROTC. 

The position rotates every semester. Frost was selected in January by Christoffer, his leadership team and previous cadet leaders, after several rounds of interviews between a handful of candidates.

"Just like any good commander, cadet Frost has encountered and met any challenge he's faced with a great attitude," Christoffer said. "We want our cadet wing commanders to be bold, because they need to stand in front of a group of their peers to provide and receive feedback. They need to feel the pulse and vector of the detachment, because these young men and women are the rudder that steers this program at any given time. I was not a cadet commander in college, so I look up to them as well. Leading a unit this large has a lot of ups and downs, which makes the experience priceless."

A seasoned leader among cadets, Frost starts every week overseeing the detachment's additional workout sessions for those still trying to pass their basic training. When he's not leading early morning runs, Frost is taking careful notes in his lab courses on drill formations, ceremonies and other core aspects of his training. The rest of his week – in addition to classes at Eller – consists of various meetings with other ROTC leadership and other cadets, more physical training and drills.

Frost was also one of the cadets surprised earlier this year when the Wildcat Wing was named the No. 1 large detachment in the nation. He said the program's success can be traced directly to the "culture of caring" he helps instill in each cadet from day one. No one is in it for themselves, because success and failure are both group accomplishments.

"This is a program on the rise," Frost said. "We're getting bigger and better every semester, and it's been really awesome to see the camaraderie grow over the years. Earning that award was a recognition of all our hard work. This is a great organization filled with great people. I can't imagine doing college without the ROTC. It would be so much harder without this amazing community."

A Southern Arizona sendoff

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Dressed in shining black shoes and a cobalt‑blue dress uniform trimmed with white, Frost surveyed the University of Arizona Mall on a warm April morning as he greeted colleagues and classmates with handshakes and laughter. The gathering of friends and U of A faculty was more than a celebration of Frost's upcoming graduation; it served as a change of command for the Wildcat Wing. 

Before long, the procession moved into The Commons, where Frost addressed the crowd.

"It's been a solid year, and an amazing ride here at the University of Arizona," he said. "You've all kept the faith and stayed strong. I am proud of all of you. I wouldn’t trade my time here for anything else."

In addition to graduating this May alongside his fellow Wildcats, Frost will earn his commission from the U.S. Air Force and shift his focus to pilot school. Looking towards the future, Christoffer hopes the young man uses his time at the U of A as a springboard for a successful career and a fulfilling life beyond service in the military. 

"I hope that our cadets have learned how to not only be successful officers, but supportive teammates," Christoffer said. "I am still in touch with some of my ROTC teammates from the '90s, and I hope they realize the value of those relationships. They are welcome back at the University of Arizona, anytime."