Name: Billy Spradlin
Hometown: Alpharetta, GA
Class year: 2025
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Desired Career Field: 11x- Pilot

Extracurricular Activities/Sports/Hobbies: In High School I played football, wrestled, ran track and was a boy scout. In college, I’m a full-time cadet.
Something unique about myself: Every man in my family is an Eagle Scout.
Favorite thing about being in AFROTC: The bonds formed with other wingmen
Most challenging part of being in AFROTC: Time management as a full-time college student involved in the AFROTC
What leadership opportunities have you been given as a cadet in AFROTC? As a cadet I’ve been given opportunities to lead as a member of the team. Everyone in the flight has an important job. When it’s your turn to lead that’s just another roll as part of the team. Leadership in AFROTC is practiced as a service.
What advice would you give a student thinking about becoming a cadet? Everyone starts out not knowing what they’re getting into. Take a leap of faith and commit to being the best cadet you can be. Balance patience and persistence. Persistently strive to get better every day but be patient with the results. It takes persistence over a long period of time to improve at something.

Det. 010 Color Guard led the way during the UA Homecoming Parade on Oct. 23, 2021.  They were also on hand to present the colors and honor a veteran at the Alabama-Tennessee football game.  Pictured are Cadets: Alshariki, Coleman, Cosby, Conant, Crane, Higgs, Lee,  Praytor, and Scott. 

Cadets had the opportunity to meet four A-10 pilots who flew into the Tuscaloosa National Airport on Oct. 22, 2021.  Captain Taylor Bye, Captain Matt Dorsey, Captain Eric Hoff, and First Lieutenant Riley Nix were preparing for the flyover for the Alabama-Tennessee football game on Oct, 23, 2021.

Master Sergeant Wooldridge, AFROTC Southeast Region First Sergeant, stopped by Detachment 010 to see our cadets in action for Leadership Laboratory on 14-Oct 2021. He also coined Technical Sergeant Neal for his great contributions to the detachment and for being #diamondsharp. 

Name: Thomas Beckman
Hometown: Huntsville, Alabama
Class year: Extended Cadet Leader (ECL)
Major: Criminal Justice
Desired Career Field: Security Forces

​Extracurricular Activities/Sports/Hobbies: Fitness, PC Building and almost anything in the outdoors.
Something unique about myself: I worked Darian Stewarts youth football camp for 3 years
Favorite thing about being in AFROTC: My favorite thing about being in AFROTC is relationships you make with your wingman and the opportunities cadets have to experience different aspects of the real Air Force. 
Most challenging part of being in AFROTC: I think for me the most challenging part of the program is finding the balance between school, ROTC and personal life.
What leadership opportunities have you been given as a cadet in AFROTC? I’ve been Physical Fitness officer, IMT Flight Commander, IMT Squadron Commander and Ops Group Commander.
What advice would you give a student thinking about becoming a cadet? Be willing to put in the time needed to succeed in the program while also allowing time away. It’s hard to be successful in the program without putting in the effort needed but it is also easy to get burned out. 

During Week 7 of Leadership Laboratory cadets learned and practiced Flight Drill Evaluation (FDE) procedures. 

Name: Hunter Welch
Hometown: Enterprise, AL
Class year: AS300
Major: Mathematics
Desired Career Field: Pilot/RPA

Extracurricular Activities/Sports/Hobbies: I love playing video games, particularly fighting games. I also enjoy cooking, especially Asian food.
Something unique about myself: When I was younger, my dream was to become a veterinarian and go to Auburn University. Obviously, that didn’t happen but I’m glad I decided to come to the University of Alabama.
Favorite thing about being in AFROTC: My favorite thing about AFROTC is working with other cadets and developing my leadership skills alongside my fellow classmates.
Most challenging part of being in AFROTC: The most challenging part of AFROTC is constantly being adaptable, even when things take an unexpected turn.
What leadership opportunities have you been given as a cadet in AFROTC?
Since becoming a POC (Professional Officer Course cadet), I have had the privilege of working in the closet, supplying all the cadets with uniforms and other items. This allows me the opportunity to talk to all the cadets and answer any questions new cadets have.
What advice would you give a student thinking about becoming a cadet?
If you want to be apart of something greater than yourself and challenge yourself mentally, then AFROTC is the way to go. Just do your best as a cadet and see where the process takes you.