Spring Break
ROTC Traditions, Stories Passed On At Dinner
UConn Alumn And Two Star General Meets Cadets
Madeline Ward
Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: News
This weekend the Air Force Cadet Wing 115 was mingling with their comrades and superiors in what the night's agenda called "Social Hour." Non-alcoholic cocktail beverages and hors d'oeuvres were served to them and their dates who chatted amiably until a triangle dinner bell was rung, signaling the mess to come to order.
Thus began a night to honor the senior class of UConn's reserve officer training corps (ROTC), as well as treat them with the guest speaker William H. Etter, a two star major general who earned his commission through the University of Connecticut (Air Force) AFROTC program.
"I don't care what it is, I love free food," said Ryan Rossi, a 7th-semester who is a cadet mechanical engineering major. He wore the traditional uniform of tight blue starched slacks and suit jacket that each of the members wore. The female cadets wore a similar outfit, the only difference being a knee length skirt instead of slacks.
Two guards in full uniform raised their mock bayonets for each of the young cadets as they walked into Cadet Wing 115's Dining-Out. The Air Force reserve officer training corps are very visible around campus, but few are privileged enough to see behind the scenes. It was a night honoring them, their friends, and all those who serve under the Air Force name.
Dining Out dinner is an Air Force tradition that dates back to the founding of the military branch, borrowing traditions from others while creating their own. The dining hall stood at attention for the arrival of the guest of honor. The general major was followed by an entourage of cadets who created an archway with there sabers for the general to walk under.
The posting of the colors kicked off the event. Posting is a mandatory practice employed by all air force personnel. A slow procession marches in carrying the flags of the United States and the Air Force, which were honored with a mass salute.
Members of the Arnold Air Society, an extra-curricular club founded by the first air force's five star general, put on a dinner theatre type performance that was unexpectedly moving. The plot revolved around two airmen and a woman navigator that were shot down in 1967 over Vietnam. A narration followed their capture. They spoke of the airmen's starvation and torture, until finally when the navigator's legs were broken and the pilot was killed did rescue come. The actors then pointed to a table, which a cadet anointed with a saber as the table of the fallen.
Thus began a night to honor the senior class of UConn's reserve officer training corps (ROTC), as well as treat them with the guest speaker William H. Etter, a two star major general who earned his commission through the University of Connecticut (Air Force) AFROTC program.
"I don't care what it is, I love free food," said Ryan Rossi, a 7th-semester who is a cadet mechanical engineering major. He wore the traditional uniform of tight blue starched slacks and suit jacket that each of the members wore. The female cadets wore a similar outfit, the only difference being a knee length skirt instead of slacks.
Two guards in full uniform raised their mock bayonets for each of the young cadets as they walked into Cadet Wing 115's Dining-Out. The Air Force reserve officer training corps are very visible around campus, but few are privileged enough to see behind the scenes. It was a night honoring them, their friends, and all those who serve under the Air Force name.
Dining Out dinner is an Air Force tradition that dates back to the founding of the military branch, borrowing traditions from others while creating their own. The dining hall stood at attention for the arrival of the guest of honor. The general major was followed by an entourage of cadets who created an archway with there sabers for the general to walk under.
The posting of the colors kicked off the event. Posting is a mandatory practice employed by all air force personnel. A slow procession marches in carrying the flags of the United States and the Air Force, which were honored with a mass salute.
Members of the Arnold Air Society, an extra-curricular club founded by the first air force's five star general, put on a dinner theatre type performance that was unexpectedly moving. The plot revolved around two airmen and a woman navigator that were shot down in 1967 over Vietnam. A narration followed their capture. They spoke of the airmen's starvation and torture, until finally when the navigator's legs were broken and the pilot was killed did rescue come. The actors then pointed to a table, which a cadet anointed with a saber as the table of the fallen.
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david fain
posted 11/05/07 @ 11:24 AM EST
I am think the UConn ROTC program is a great part of the university community
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