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Air Force News

Col Kevin McNellis

Our AF Jayhawks are cheering as the icy  "Dark Ages" of January and February end.  Good news - nearly all of our cadets rejoined for the spring semester.  In past years our retention wasn't as good.  So why are they returning now?  Two reasons:  better grades and they're having fun!  In the past, we lost most of our freshmen when they discovered KU graded pretty tough and all those new "freedoms" like class attendance and weekday parties took their toll on semester grades.  As a result, they either didn't come back to KU at all, or they dropped ROTC as taking too much time. Emphasizing grades and balancing ROTC with education requirements has helped our retention. We emphasize that we want smart, fit, responsible cadets - with a great attitude.  Thanks to TROA's leadership, you are seeing our cadets first-hand at the meetings. 

The other part is fun.  We've put 3 high quality graphics and high-speed computers in our "War room".  Know what they do down there?  Dogfights.  We're teaching our cadets a ton about flying with realistic simulators and they can go head-to-head with F-15s vs. MiGs or P-51s against Messerschmitts.  We only have 3 stations so far.  Given the great response - I'm trying to get a couple more stations next year.  Our Navy friends are working the flight simulators too - and I hope it won't be too long before we have some friendly air battles.  You teach jointness however you can.  Having fun really helps the learning process.

We're going to have a Dining In mid March with KU Football Coach Terry Allen joining our cadets for tradition and fun with a talk on leadership.  It's appropriate to show our cadets how leadership manifests itself in many ways and it's worthwhile to use University resources in a team approach to benefit our ROTC cadets who are KU students.

We're prepping our cadets for summer training at either Lackland in San Antonio or at Tyndall AFB Fl.  Sound like good vacation spots eh?  Well in July and August, the heat, humidity, and fire ants can take a toll on our campers!  But it's a challenging time for them and we're training hard.  KU has always done well with a lion's share of Distinguished Graduates and Superior Performers.

New direction.  I think it's time we senior (college level) ROTC units do more for our junior ROTC outfits in high schools.  We have always supported them with spare uniforms etc. We are planning an exchange with Washington H.S. students next month.  FYI we are also helping Baldwin in their zeal to start a JROTC at their high school.  It takes some lead-time.  Admire their commitment.

AF News:  We welcome the new administration.  Particularly his enthusiastic support of our troops and their families.  While businessmen may be shaking their heads over whether the F-22 funding line or V-22 pre-production authorizations are in jeopardy - it's refreshing to see the President visiting Army, Navy, AF, and Marine bases and express confidence in their abilities and concern for their families - housing, quality of medical care for their kids, and pay issues.  Retention is all about families - and it's great to have a Commander-in-Chief who can appreciate a soldier's concern for family.  And it's also great to have a Commander-in-Chief who makes a decision on Iraq and leaves the warfighting to the professionals.  Swift and effective.  Our Air Force is truly second to none.