Det 270
Wildcat Warriors
Fall 2009 Newsletter
Commander’s Call
Wildcat Warrior Cadets, Cadre, and Alumni,
It is an honor and privilege to serve as the
AFROTC Det 270/CC. Thank you to everyone who
helped make my transition to KSU and Gen Myers
Hall less stressful. My family and I enjoy living and
working in the Manhattan area and look forward to
completing our three-year tour. We are extremely
happy and thrilled to be here as we serve our
nation, the USAF and KSU.
I have established four goals for the Cadet
Wing this year covering academics, physical fitness,
and training. These goals are high but achievable;
teamwork will be the key to success. We have also
instituted a wing Combat Challenge program, reenergized our Arnold Air Society squadron, and are
re-establishing Pershing Rifles in concert with the
Army ROTC Battalion.
If you have any questions or would like to
contribute to future newsletters, please don’t
hesitate to contact me at edmeyer1@ksu.edu .
The cadets would thoroughly enjoy hearing stories
from the front, by a KSU AFROTC alumni.
Edward A. Meyer, Lt Col, USAF
Commander, Detachment 270 KSU
Unit Admissions Officer
View
Fall 2009 is already on
the downhill slide! Be sure
to be safe and keep focused on your academics
especially with the holiday/winter season upon us.
Semester Interviews: Everyone has to complete
an interview and update their Form 48 each
semester. If you have not scheduled an interview
call Mary Jo now.
Scholarships Information: I want to get as many of
you on scholarship as possible; there are certain
technical majors that can receive Express
Scholarships if you are in Computer, Electrical, or
Environmental engineering. In order to be eligible
your GPA must be above a 2.5, you have to pass
the fitness test, pass the AFOQT and schedule a
DODMERB physical through TSgt Wheeler (if not
already contacted).
Recruiting Opportunities: I need your help at local
recruiting events (High School visits and College
events). C3C Kathryn B. is our wing recruiting
officer; please contact her if you would like to help
the cadet wing recruit interested students to join
the Wildcat Warrior team.
Retention Events: If anyone wants to plan video
game tournaments or movie nights contact me and
we will definitely set it up & provide
snacks/pizza.
James Ford, Capt, USAF
Unit Admissions Officer
Cadet Wing Commander’s View
Wow, what a start to the semester! I hope all of
you are headed in the right direction by now this
fall. We have had quite a number of cool and
exciting things happen already thus far but I assure
you, the best is yet to come! Just in the past few
months I have had the opportunity to learn some
valuable lessons as Cadet Wing Commander of our
Detachment and I am sure that each and every one
of you reading this has learned plenty of interesting
tidbits yourselves. We have all been given a great
opportunity by choosing to take part in AFROTC.
I’m sure the graduating seniors would agree
AFROTC has presented us all with unique and
exciting challenges that have taught us how to be
leaders and manage stress in our everyday lives.
Every one of us cadets are required to step up and
put in extra time and effort over and above the
normal requirements of student life here at Kansas
State University. We have all accepted the
challenge and thus are better people for it. I can
honestly say that I feel much more prepared for
post graduate life than I would be without AFROTC
and to be quite honest I find it hard to imagine
what college would be like without sharing it with
the corps.
I challenge each and every one of you to get
involved and volunteer with more activities. Not
just within our corps but around campus. Step
outside your comfort zone and meet new people
because at the end of the day the people you meet
may become one of your best friends and can often
times lead to greater opportunities later on in life.
So get excited about the rest of the semester! The
month of October should be action packed with A10’s coming as well as some Blackhawk rides! Keep
your heads up and keep working hard because I
guarantee it will pay off in the end!
C/Col Scott F.
Wing Commander
Around Detachment 270
During LLAB on October 8, 2009, monthly
awards were presented to three cadets; a
scholarship was awarded, followed by
Commander’s Call with Lt Col Meyer, and then a
guest speaker presented information to the wing.
Awards given out at LLAB included both Cadet
of the Month Awards and the Wildcat Warrior of
the Month Award. First, the 100 Class Cadet of the
Month Award was awarded to Cadet Mark B. of
Alpha Flight. Next, the 200 Class Cadet of the
Month was presented. This was awarded to Cadet
Juliana K. of Echo Flight. These awards were given
to these cadets for their outstanding performance
for the month of September. The next award was
the Wildcat Warrior of the Month Award. This
award was given to Cadet Zak K. of Echo Flight.
Cadet K. was awarded this due to his outstanding
motivation by attending all three PT sessions per
week. Congratulations to these cadets for their
achievements!
Following the presentation of the monthly
awards, Lt Col Meyer presented the 2009 Grimm
Aerospace Scholarship. The scholarship is in
memory of 1986 AFROTC and KSU Graduate,
Captain William Grimm. Capt Grimm graduated
with a B.S. in General Science. He was a Navigator
on a Special Ops AC-130H Gunship, stationed at
Hurlburt Field, FL. Captain William Grimm lost his
life on January 30, 1991 after his AC-130H Gunship
was shot down behind enemy lines in Operation
Desert Storm. His parents have established the
Grimm Aerospace Scholarship to carry on the
legacy of Captain Grimm. To be eligible for this
scholarship you must be in the top 1/3 of your
class, have a 2.5 or better GPA, and must be
dedicated to Det 270. This year’s Grimm
Aerospace Scholarship was awarded to Cadet
Logan L. of Echo Flight. Congratulations!
Commander’s Call continued with a briefing by
Lt Col Meyer about a new club forming on campus
between our AFROTC Det and the Army ROTC
Battalion. The club he is speaking of is known as
the National Society of Pershing Rifles. The
purpose of this club is to help the development of
officers and to build camaraderie and esprit de
corps between all three ROTC programs. Company
G-7, as our Company will be known as, had a strong
history on the K-State campus back in the 1970’s
until it was disbanded later on. They were first
formed in 1949 and even performed and Honor
Guard event for President Dwight Eisenhower. We
are planning a phased approach into PR so keep on
the lookout for details.
Next, guest speaker Thuria Mossa presented a
briefing on the country of Iraq. A native of
Baghdad, Mrs. Mossa came to the United States
from Iraq in 1982. She has taught Arabic at K-State
since 2001. She has also volunteered her time at
Fort Riley to prepare soldiers headed to Iraq. The
presentation included history of Iraq, geography,
demographics, and general knowledge of what is
going on in the country now. Her insights proved
to be very interesting since her point of view was
fresh and different.
C/3C Y.
C3C Lytle, the ‘09 Grimm Aerospace Scholarship
winner poses with the Det/CC & Cadet Wg/CC.
Ops Group Commander
As Operations Group Commander I am excited
to have the semester under way. Through working
with plans and training I have high hopes for our
young officers of tomorrow's Air Force. We have a
lot of fun activities planned throughout the
semester; Blackhawk helicopter rides, rappelling,
FTX out on Ft. Riley and possibly a joint
commissioning ceremony. As operations we are
the tip of the sword and must be on top of our
game, looking sharp and performing far above the
standards. I have no doubt that we are all capable
of accomplishing this. I wish everyone the best of
luck with school this semester and I look forward to
working with all our Wildcat Warriors!
C/Lt Col Mitch L.
Operations Group Commander
C3C K flanked by the Det/CC & Cadet Wg/CC after
being presented with his WWoM certificate for Sep 09.
Cadet Inspector General
As a new year begins, there are many new faces
from another large freshman class as well as plenty
of returning cadets. As the Inspector General, it is
my job to ensure all cadet activities are conducted
in accordance with AFROTC regulations and make
certain cadets are following their stated job
descriptions while maintaining proper appearance.
Through the first few weeks of the semester I
have been impressed with the great attitudes
shown by our new cadets and their eagerness to
learn and become an instrumental part of the
cadet wing. I have also noticed a high level of
excitement from the AS 200 cadets as well as the
AS 300’s who just came back from field training.
With some experience under their belts and the
knowledge that even more is expected from them
this year, I look forward to watching them thrive as
both mentors for other cadets as well as learning
from those above them. I anticipate yet another
great semester from Det 270 and I wish all of you
the best of luck in your endeavors. Airpower!
C/Lt Col Matt P.
Inspector General
Arnold Air Society – Vorhies Squadron
The mission of Arnold Air Society is to create
outstanding Air Force officer candidates through
the implementation of additional training, while
working as a society to further the purpose,
traditions, and concepts of the United States Air
Force.
This fall, a new class of leadership has set forth
to redefine Arnold Air Society at Kansas State
University. Our goals are to create more
outstanding officer candidates than those
produced by AFROTC alone, as well as to provide
non-profit service to our community. The focus of
members and candidates is on professional
development and service.
In order to reach these goals, our squadron has
used its focus to reinvigorate its training program,
set higher standards for membership, and reach
out to the community. AAS candidates meet a
twelve week training program comprised of
rigorous academics, drill and ceremonies, physical
training, professional development training, and
community service.
For the remainder of this semester, candidates
and members will be working together in support
of soldiers and veterans in the area, the Airman’s
Attic at McConnell AFB, the “That Others May
Live” Foundation, the Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society, the Flint Hills Bread Basket, and the city of
Manhattan.
We are truly honored to restore Arnold Air
Society to the state of excellence it once held
under our alumni Wildcat Warriors, and look
forward to a great semester!
Alumni News
Something unique this year from prior years
is the number of total cadets in the wing and
the few 2d Lieutenants who have remained
beyond the start of the fall semester. Initially
there were four 2Lt’s but today only three
remain, myself, Lt Mantle and Lt Gasswint.
However, unlike prior years we are not active
duty officers on Casual Status and are not
earning a USAF pay check; all of us have enter
active duty (EAD) dates in November.
Still, when we’re not at work or spending
time with family we’re spending time assisting
the cadre and the detachment. Thus far we
have enhanced the Cadet Lounge computers,
aided Wildcat Warrior recruiting events,
volunteered at local community ports,
answered cadet questions, and helped lead the
Det’s participation in the 2009 USAF Marathon.
Also, I have observed several changes from
this year’s cadet staff and cadre commander
compared to last year; it’s all for the better.
The cadre and staff have numerous fun events
planned for the wing. I sincerely hope the
Wildcat Warriors maintain established AFROTC
traditions but also create new ones for one of
the largest freshman classes in my memory.
This year will be exciting and interesting. I
look forward to returning in spring 2010 to see
some outstanding cadets get commissioned.
Jeremy McKowski, 2d Lt, USAF
C/1Lt Tommy M.
Arnold Air Society Commander
Wars may be fought with weapons but they are won by
men. It is the spirit of the men who follow and the man
who leads that gains the victory.
Gen. George S. Patton Jr., US Army
Five Wildcat Warrior cadets visited the Topeka Veterans Hospital
earlier this month to lend a helping hand to those in need.