feature friday – Air Force ROTC Detachment 010

Name: Aaron Barclay-Cotton ​Hometown: Tuscaloosa, AL

Class year: Sophomore

Major: Economics and Consumer Sciences

Desired Career Field: Pilot

Extracurricular Activities/Sports/Hobbies: Basketball, exercising, Tech Support at Culverhouse Technology Group, Mentor in the Diversity in Business Bridge program

Something unique about myself: Played Trumpet for 7 years, can read music. Enlisted in the Air National Guard with the 187th FW in Montgomery, AL as a Fuel Systems Maintainer.

Favorite thing about being in AFROTC: Getting to know my wingmen. Challenging myself and watching myself improve over time. AFROTC has some of the most intelligent and successful people at the University of Alabama. I enjoy learning from them at every opportunity. The program is remarkably diverse, and I like hearing everyone's point of view and where they are from.

Most challenging part of being in AFROTC: ​Organizing my Schedule around AFROTC. Having to catch up due to entering the program later. Adjusting my habits to meet AFROTC standards. One thing that is difficult for me when I come into the program is always being squared away. As a regular college student, you had some leeway when it came to standards. If you know the required information at test time etc. you were fine, at AFRTOC not only must you know the information assigned to you and your job, but you must be aware you your wingmen's job and be up to date with relevant information.

What leadership opportunities have you been given as a cadet in AFROTC? I've been given opportunities to mentor my juniors and in some cases my peers. I was an alternate for a Veterans Day Parade, it was my first Color Guard event, and it was a great experience. I’ve also gained leadership experience while overseeing various flight positions. Testing my leadership skills daily.

What advice would you give a student thinking about becoming a cadet? Make sure you come open to new ideas and people. Be sure that you have enough dedication and discipline and be enthusiastic. AFROTC isn't easy but everyone is willing to help you and a lot of people want to help.

What inspired you to join AFROTC? Growing up I was always inclined to join the military and I've always wanted to be a pilot. A few of my family members suggested I look at becoming an officer and joining ROTC. I ended up enlisting in the Air National Guard (ANG) instead, but I still planned on pursuing a career as a pilot. When I was in BMT our Flight Commander spoke to us when we were approaching our graduation date. He mentioned how he earned his commission through AFROTC and told us about his experience with the program. That encouraged me to take a closer look at AFROTC. When I returned to my unit, I asked one of my supervisors who was submitting his application to go to OTS and becoming a pilot what he thought of AFROTC and OTS. He told me his experience applying and that to look at AFROTC and try it while I had chance. Following his advice was a great decision. I have learned more about leadership and about myself since joining.

Have any previous experiences helped you in AFROTC? This summer I participated in the Diversity in Business Bridge Program, a program in The University of Alabama’s College of Business. The program guides rising high school seniors and college freshmen through entering college while teaching them professional skills. As a summer employee I worked with my coworkers to organize events and maintain accountability of all students. This furthered my development in leadership, organization, and teamwork. This experience is unique because the administrator of the program let us student workers take control and manage the program allowing us to make decisions to complete our goals and stay on schedule.
Additionally, my experience being enlisted in the ANG helps. Going through BMT and Tech School let me become familiar with Air Force structure, commands etc. I've also gained new perspectives from being enlisted. Being a follower then learning how to be a leader I can look at problems from both perspectives and find more optimal solutions, or combing my experiences to become a more effective leader and a better wingman

Are there any unique lessons you’ve learned in AFROTC?  I've learned two things in the program. Being a leader isn't easy. I've been blessed to have had good leaders in the past; they made it look easy. Having been put in more leadership roles I am much more appreciative of the effort and preparation it takes to be a successful leader. The second thing I learned comes from my experience in BMT and Tech School. When I joined AFROTC I noticed some differences, mostly when I came to commands and verbiage. It was interesting to see the differences each training program had, and it made me more aware of occurrences like this within the Air Force.