PDTs

Professional Development Training (PDTs) events are opportunities to see into the real operational Air Force, and learn hands-on skills through training and experience. AFROTC cadets are required to complete two PDTs throughout their time in AFROTC, and these can be anything from participating in paintball exercises, to flying with active duty pilots in an F-16.

 

Air Force Academy Freefall Program - Nov 7, 2019

    Over an AFROTC cadet’s career, they must complete two professional development training events (PDT). There are numerous opportunities for cadets to complete these PDTs. These courses can be anything from a jump/parachute school to glider-flying lessons, to the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) exchange program, or even the Special Tactics Officer (STO) Program. The Air Force has created events and programs that suit the needs and aspirations of every future Air Force Officer, so you will not be disappointed. 

    This article will focus on one of the most popular and eye-catching PDT’s, the Air Force Academy Freefall Parachute Training Program or AFAFF. This is a 12-day parachute training program that takes place at the USAFA in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The course is comprised of strenuous physical training, conditioning, ground school, and ultimately five freefall jumps from 4500 feet above the ground. Cadets who compete all five jumps will be awarded their jump wings, and automatically pass the basic-parachutist rated board.

While there, each day starts bright and early at 0500. Cadets take a bus to the airfield to first do light exercises and pullups, then they’d spend the rest of the day practicing the different aspects of parachuting (falling with style if you've seen Toy Story). It’s one of the most strenuous PDTs in the AFROTC pipeline, but the personal and professional growth gained from it outweighs the 12 days of rigorous training that come first.

    The requirements for this PDT are more strenuous than any other option; but for good reason. Cadets need to show they have the physical and mental attributes necessary for jumping out of a plane. You must first pass a flight physical, as well as pass a flexed arm test (among other physical tests) and show off at least 5 accomplishments that you have made during your time in ROTC.

    This week, I had the opportunity to interview sophomore cadet Graham Hasty and talk to him about his own experience at AFAFF last summer. He is one of the best cadets in the program and even had the opportunity to lead a group of cadets in marching during the annual UGA Homecoming parade. Cadet Hasty will be attending field training this summer and upon completion, he will enter the Professional Officer’s Course for two years and after that, he will finally commision as an active-duty Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force. 

    Cadet Hasty hopes to be a pilot in the Air Force with an alternative occupation being an engineer for our country. Jump will help him reach this outstanding goal because it equipped him with skills necessary, “to tackle challenges in new environments with a group of motivated wingmen”. His experience at jump will also help him reach higher goals during his time at field training in the Summer of 2020. Cadet Hasty’s favorite thing besides the final jump was how quickly every participant developed special bonds with each other even though they had never met, and lived in completely different parts of the country. Aside from the jump course, I asked Cadet Hasty what his favorite thing about Air Force ROTC at UGA is and he said, “First, I have been impressed by the large amount of opportunities the detachments offers to better myself as a leader currently and as a future officer. Second, I enjoy the camaraderie within my flight and the detachment as well as the pride that comes with being a part of Det 160.”  

 

Cadet Hasty had a blast at AFAFF and is glad he did it. He made memories he will never forget and grew tremendously as a leader.  

 

While the overall PDT experiences are great, there are several unlisted opportunities that arise from participating in each one. It could be a quick tour of an Air Force facility or it could be something that just happens to take place at the PDT location that day. 

 

Cadet Ricketts, now a Junior at Det 160, had the opportunity to ride in an F-15E (a fantastic fighter jet known as the “Strike Eagle”) during her Operation Air Force PDT at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho in the summer of 2018. This experience gives cadets a greater understanding of the Air Force while showing them a variety of different career paths. Of the 17 cadets present at the PDT, 8 were randomly selected to take part in the ride-along. Cadet Ricketts was selected and she had a blast. During her flight, the F-15E reached a max speed of mach 1.1 ( a little faster than the speed of sound at 843 mph). The pilot also took the plane in on a low-level flight, upside-down over a canyon and also did a number of rapid climbs. Cadet Ricketts feels, “very blessed to have been granted such an experience” and definitely recommends it to anyone who is given the opportunity.

 

Participating in a PDT is a great way to enhance your ability as an officer and become more educated about the daily operations that go into making any and every Air Force Base around the world run smoothly and effectively. When future Air Force Officers have more time to prepare themselves and know what to expect when they commision, their effectiveness and leadership will increase exponentially.

 Above article submitted by C/Johnston

 

Leadership and F-35's: Greg Ulmer

On 22 October 2020, Detachment 160 was lucky enough to be able to hear from Mr. Greg Ulmer about the F-35, his career path, and the leadership skills that have made him successful along the way.

To begin the discussion, Mr. Ulmer shared some of his personal life and what led him to the career path in which he currently follows. His father was a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy, and Mr. Ulmer was offered a Navy scholarship to UCLA. His eyesight was too bad for him to fly, but he knew he wanted to pursue a career in aeronautics. Growing up with a father in the Navy instilled in him a sense of patriotism and a desire to serve his country, which he still has today. Mr. Ulmer graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Later, he graduated with a master’s degree in Business Management with an emphasis on aerospace from the University of Tennessee.

Mr. Ulmer has had a very prestigious career and has played a vital role in developing and improving the strength of airpower. He has spent time as Flight Test Engineer for various planes, C-130 Deputy Program Manager for Operations, C-130 Air Vehicle Director, Deputy Chief Engineer, Flight Test Integrated Pilot Team Senior Manager, C-5 Vice President and Program Manager, Vice President of Operations for Advanced Development Programs, and Vice President of the F-35 Aircraft Production Business Unit. He is currently Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 Lightning II Program at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company.

Mr. Ulmer enlightened us on the technical aspects of the F-35 Fighter Jet. The F-35 has over 40,000 pounds of thrust, a top speed of 1,760 fps, and can withstand up to 9 G’s. It is a fifth-generation fighter, equipped with stealth materials and utilizes a system of sensor fusion to out-compete its counterparts. This fighter jet has done a little bit of everything and is capable of vertical take-offs and landings, gathering intelligence, surveillance, close air support, electronic warfare, and more. It has three variants, one for the Navy, Air Force, and Marines. Because of this great versatility, the F-35 is incredibly popular. It can be found at 26 bases around the world. There are around 1,200 pilots and around 580 F-35s have been delivered to a total of 14 customers around the world.

The cadets at Detachment 160 were also able to hear Mr. Ulmer’s advice on leadership. He is a big believer in servant leadership, quoting the mentality of, “If you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” He does this by bringing his full self to work every day. He also provided us with the analogy of “carrying the water.” This means that everyone should carry their weight. We might not always put out the fire, but we can carry the water. Not everyone has the opportunity to make a major impact all the time, but they can do their job to the best of their ability. He believes in being a team player and doing more than just his job. He gave the advice to be accountable for what we are responsible for, to contribute to discussions, to broaden our exposure, and to always take the opportunity to learn.

All of us at Detachment 160 were grateful to have the opportunity to learn from Mr. Greg Ulmer, and we are incredibly appreciative of him taking the time to share with us information about the F-35, his life, and his advice for success in the professional world.

C/Morris, Oct 2020