Name: Jessica States
Hometown: Elk Grove Village, IL
Class year: AS100
Major: Criminology; Psychology
Desired Career Field: OSI
Extracurricular Activities/Sports/Hobbies: Soccer, running, Greek life, baking, hiking, anything with my dogs
Something unique about myself: I played the violin for six years.
Favorite thing about being in AFROTC: Making positive and lasting connections with people. There are so many ways to help and encourage your wingmen, and it’s a built-in group of friends that can absolutely relate to what you’re going through!
Most challenging part of being in AFROTC: Time management is definitely the most difficult aspect- AFROTC is not something that ends when you leave class. You have to find time to prepare all week long, which is a challenge to balance with different aspects of your life.
What leadership opportunities have you been given as a cadet in AFROTC?
Flight Commander
What advice would you give a student thinking about becoming a cadet?
AFROTC requires a lot of discipline- it won’t be easy, but in the end, you’ll have grown so much as a person and a leader in ways that you never would without it.

On 26 Mar 22, Det 10 attended the Wings over Columbus Air Show at Columbus AFB, MS. During the day, cadets participated in a multi-college diversity and inclusion panel with various active duty officers hosted by Capt Matt Jones. Cadets also met Thunderbird 6, Capt Daniel Katz, a USAFA graduate who wishes them the best of luck in their AFROTC and AF career. #RollTide

On 23 March 2022, Det 10 celebrated Lt Col Abejuela's  birthday. Thank you for all that you do for us as the detachment commander ma'am! #RollTide

On 7 Mar 22, TSgt Dawson and his team from Columbus AFB, MS, visited our cadets to teach them the nuances of color guard. Thank you for all the help. #RollTide

Name: Ciara Olmeda
Hometown: Springfield, Virginia
Class year: 2022
Major: Business Management with an Entrepreneurship Concentration
Desired Career Field: Force Support
Extracurricular Activities/Sports/Hobbies: In my free time I like working out, painting, and reading.
Something unique about myself: I am the first woman in my family to join any military branch.
Favorite thing about being in AFROTC: My favorite thing about being in AFROTC is having mentees. My mentees are such a blessing that it feels like I have a mini family within the cadet core. Respectfully, I’d like to name drop my mini family: C/Cosby, C/Coleman, C/Melton, and C/Praytor.
Most challenging part of being in AFROTC: Things change constantly and communication is never perfect – stay flexible.
What leadership opportunities have you been given as a cadet in AFROTC? Last semester, myself and two other cadets had the chance to create and lead a new part of the Cadet Wing – the Diversity & Inclusion Flight. I was the Wellness Officer which allowed me to care for the mental and morale needs of the cadet core. I loved every minute of it. Since this is the first time a Diversity & Inclusion Flight has been made, I have high hopes that it will be spread to detachments across the nation.
What advice would you give a student thinking about becoming a cadet? AFROTC is perfect for the student who has drive and a desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves. If you feel called to be a leader, the Air Force will mold and push you in the right direction.