 "Photo: Chelsy Lueth")
Students from K-State Air Force ROTC were selected from a highly competitive system for rated slots.
Cadets who are of junior standing apply to a selections committee by writing a memorandum and identifying what position they are interested in. The positions they can select from are Pilot, Combat System Operator and Air Battle Manager.
Scores on their application are broken down into five areas including unit commander ranking, cumulative G.P.A., physical fitness, field training performance report and the PCSM. The PCSM is a combination of the Air Force Officer Qualifications Test Pilot score, flight hours and a hand eye coordination test.
Captain Nathaniel Kaiser, commander of cadets said the PCSM test “makes the brain turn to mush.”
These qualifications show the committee if their commander believes the cadets will be successful, if they are competent and if they can handle a stressful situation.
“We are always told academics come first,” said Alex Copeland, senior in economics. Copeland was selected for the pilot slot.
He added that without a degree there will not be a flying slot in the Air Force.
After applying, cadets take the Test of Basic Aviation Skill at McConnell Air Force Base.
“There is no way to study for the test,” Copeland said. “After applying, it’s a waiting game.”
Kaiser said the process is extremely competitive and over a thousand people apply around the U.S. and Puerto Rico and only 500 are accepted.
After selected students graduate they will go on to pilot school or combat systems officer training. Kaiser said pilot school consists of two years of training and flying for hundreds of hours to let them get comfortable with flying and landing.
“It wreaks havoc on the body,” Kaiser said. “They wear training suits so they do not black out.”
Copeland’s and other cadets’ duties did not change at K-State after they were selected for rated slots.
“I’m a flight commander in charge of roughly 20 cadets of all class, but my duties as a flight commander do not change solely because I was selected for this slot,” Copeland said. “And not all cadets who have received a flying slot are necessarily flight commanders.”
After pilot training, the cadets will be ranked as second lieutenants and begin ten years of service.
“You aren’t exactly expected to know everything,” said Copeland. “But you are expected to be able to perform when you get to your job.”
Copeland said his passion is the military, and it has always been his desire to be selected for the slot.
Katherine Maier, junior in apparel marketing, joined AFROTC at K-State at the end of her sophomore year after talking with other people involved and was also selected for the pilot slot.
“I have always wanted to be a pilot but my parents weren’t so fond of the idea.” Maier said.
Maier said she liked the AFROTC because cadets get to experience different career fields and meet new people. Maier continued by saying she did not know when she would retire from the air force.
“Depends on when I have to start flying a desk,” Maier said.
Other students selected for pilot slots were Mark Caywood, Tom Mannion, Benjamin Jewell and Chris Hansen. The three selected for combat systems officers were Ashley Mayes, Wade Scribner and Andrew Wessel.
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