ROTC cadets complete 'Props and Wings Challenge'

ROTC Cadets John Whitehouse (left) and Timothy Penn perform sit-ups while Cadet Training Assistant Andrew Glowa motivates them to finish July 17 during the physical fitness test portion of the Props and Wings Challenge at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. The challenge tested more than 330 cadets with mental and physical activities during the 27-day field training event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Lake)

ROTC cadets complete 'Props and Wings Challenge'

ROTC Cadet Gavin Brawley encourages fellow cadets while pushing out another pushup July 17 during the physical fitness test portion of the Props and Wings Challenge at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. The challenge tested more than 330 cadets with mental and physical activities during the 27-day field training event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Lake)

ROTC cadets complete 'Props and Wings Challenge'

ROTC Cadet Tracy Davis performs sit-ups July 17 during the physical fitness test portion of the Props and Wings Challenge at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. The challenge tested more than 330 cadets with mental and physical activities during the 27-day field training event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Lake)

ROTC cadets complete 'Props and Wings Challenge'

Lt. Col. David Baylor, ROTC cadet field training director of operations, asks cadets to recite all the verses of the Air Force song July 17 during the Prop and Wings Challenge at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. The challenge tested more than 330 cadets with mental and physical activities during the 27-day field training event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Lake)

ROTC cadets complete 'Props and Wings Challenge'

Brig. Gen. Alfred Flowers, Air Force Officer Accessions and Training commander, pins the Prop and Wings pin on Cadet Group Commander Jefre Potterbaum (right) and Deputy Group Commander Ashley Currie July 17 at the conclusion of the Prop and Wings Challenge at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. The challenge tested more than 330 cadets with mental and physical activities during the 27-day field training event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Lake)

ROTC cadets complete inaugural 'Props and Wings Challenge'

Published July 19, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Jason Lake
Air University Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFPN) -- More than 330 ROTC cadets were pushed to their mental and physical limits during Air University's first Props and Wings Challenge here July 17.

The challenge culminated nearly four weeks of rigorous field training for incoming junior classmen at universities nationwide who plan to get their Air Force commission. According to organizers, the challenge will become a benchmark event that future ROTC field training cadets must complete in hopes of eventually receiving a commission.

Capt. Jimmie Tyson II, field training unit project officer, said the challenge -- which was created under the direction of Lt. Gen. Stephen Lorenz, Air University commander, to create a shared experience between the Air Force Academy, Officer Training School and Air Force ROTC -- had four objectives.

"The first objective of the challenge was to give cadets a crucible-like event at the end of their training that would push them both physically and mentally," he said.

Capt. Tyson said the second objective was to show the evolution of their growth during the previous 27 days of training, which included arriving as individuals, forming into flights, meshing into squadrons and finally operating as a group.

The next objective was to educate the cadets about teamwork, the Air Force Core Values, the Fit-to-Fight mentality and the importance of never leaving a fellow Airman behind, as stated in the Airman's Creed. The fourth objective, a goal for the more than 60 staff, instructors and cadet training assistants, was to create a life-long memorable event that ended with the cadets getting their Prop and Wings pin.

The Prop and Wings Challenge consisted of four major activities spread over five miles on Maxwell Air Force Base's flightline.

One of the most notable challenges was jogging one and a half miles in battle dress uniform and performing a physical fitness test in Alabama's hot, balmy weather.

The cadets also marched to several locations where they were quizzed on Air Force trivia such as the Air Force Core Values, Airman's Creed and Air Force Mission Statement.

After running and marching nearly five miles, the sweaty cadets were congratulated for successfully negotiating the course by Maj. Gen. Allen Peck, Air University vice commander, and Brig. Gen. Alfred Flowers, Air Force Officer Accession and Training Schools commander.

"[The Prop and Wings challenge] was exhausting and tiring, but it was very rewarding," said Cadet Benjamin Oatley, from the University of Florida's Det. 150. "We motivated each other and pushed each other to the limit. Many cadets didn't think they would be able to finish, but everyone did finish, and we finished as one unit. I know that I'm leaving field training as a stronger individual, a stronger team player and a stronger leader."

The next step for the majority of the more than 2,000 cadets who will attend this year's field training here or at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., is to complete two years of professional officer courses at their respective ROTC detachments. Then, after graduating from college, they would receive their Air Force commission.

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ROTC cadets complete 'Props and Wings Challenge'

ROTC cadets complete 'Props and Wings Challenge'

ROTC cadets complete 'Props and Wings Challenge'

ROTC cadets complete 'Props and Wings Challenge'

ROTC cadets complete 'Props and Wings Challenge'

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