feature friday

Name: Stephen Nagy
Hometown: Deerfield, Ill
Class year: 2024
Major: Management Information Systems
Desired Career Field: Pilot (Or Logistics Resource Officer if pilot doesn’t work out)
Extracurricular Activities/Sports/Hobbies: Volleyball Club
Something unique about myself:
I’ve lived in 4 different countries, I’m half Colombian and I’m bilingual in Spanish
Favorite thing about being in AFROTC:
I love being around people who are all passionate and driven. It is really inspiring to come to PT or LLab and see and be around people who are constantly trying to improve, learn, and serve their nation.
Most challenging part of being in AFROTC:
As students who are dealing with school, relationships, and transforming into adulthood, the most challenging part of being in AFROTC is staying absolutely focused and driven all of the time. I want to be careful not to make that sound scary, but even the most determined individual has a hard time wanting to wake up for PT every morning, spending 5-7 hours outside of PMT events, or even just going LLab when you have a test later that day. The positive side is that I have an amazing group of wingmen who are all there for each other. When one of us is struggling we are all there to lift each other up and encourage one another. I have had my hard days and the people that get me through it are my wingmen. It is not an easy thing to go through as a student, however, you can make it through when you form those connections with the people around you.
What leadership opportunities have you been given as a cadet in AFROTC?
I am the Color Guard Commander, and it has been a really great opportunity to practice the leadership skills that I have spent the last two years learning. I am definitely still learning but it had been a great way to try out different things and lead how I want to lead with my own methods. Through Color Guard I have been able to represent the Air Force well as well as honor my nation and those who have served before me.
What advice would you give a student thinking about becoming a cadet?
I suggest trying out new things and letting yourself go without holding yourself back. Allow yourself to receive exactly what you give. Never done PT before. Try AFROTC and push yourself and the people around you, it will be hard at first but it’s about getting yourself over the hump. You want to network learn more about the Air Force and its values? Join Arnold Air Society or Silver Wing, you will learn professional and even tactical skills and enhance who you are as a military member that you will only get through showing up and engaging. Want to honor and serve your nation? Join Color Guard and/or Sabers. Even by simply being a part of AFROTC you are putting in effort to serve and to fight for and defend our constitution. You will get out exactly what you put in and the hardest part is taking the first step. If you are unsure, take the first step because you won’t know unless you try it out.