Grant Donley

Thomas

UWRT 1104

10 February 2017

Nations Call

Reflection 1

When I was writing my essay, I had trouble tying my thoughts to how they influenced

me. I realized way too late that this was more of an origin story. Although incomplete I

need to connect each thought with how it has influenced me. For example, add more

detail about how my grandfather influenced me. This paper turned more into freewriting

than a rough draft.

Stress, hard work, pressure, and strain, all of these can bring out the true

character in a person. We are put to the test every day, all just in different ways. The

way we handle ourselves in those situations determines who we are and who we want

to become. Air Force ROTC has been my greatest test since I started college. I have

been pushed mentally and physically, all to improve myself and my fellow peers.

The idea of joining the military forced itself into my head when I first started high

school. My parents were never a part of the Armed Forces. They did grow up with

military fathers. I respect both my Grandfathers for their service and draw great

inspiration from them. My Grandfather on my dads side, we call him Pap, flew cargo in

the Air Force. I could listen all day to describing the different platforms of planes he flew.

Its these stories I grew up listening to that inspired me to join the military.
 The Air Force Academy was my first look for college. I got as far as the

congressional nomination before having to quit. I did not put in enough work and time in

school to get the grades needed for the Academy. I failed to push myself and missed

out on a great opportunity. I knew not to quit on the military and applied to schools with

Air Force ROTC Detachments. After the stressful process of college applications, I was

accepted into UNC Charlotte.

Lucky for me, my older brother is a third year cadet at UNCC. I had some

knowledge of ROTC life in college and was given a slight advantage, or so I thought. I

was tested physically with three physical training events every week. The demanding

activities put me to the test and forced me to manage my time to allow for school work

and sleep. Much of my work is completed in the morning rather than at night. That was

the easy part to get use to.

Mentally ROTC was challenging. The english language changes when locked on

in class and drill. Every thing and every detail must be spot on. Everything from greeting

to dress and apparel must be perfect. The standards of the real world are thrown out the

window and it is all for a great purpose. The end goal is to wear the Uniform with pride

and be willing to give your life for this great country.

My semester and a half in the ROTC program as changed me and influenced

me. My old work habits have changed and I have grown in maturity. My respect has

grown for my elders and my superiors.

Grant Donley

Thomas
UWRT 1104

15 February 2017

A Nation's Call, My Call

Reflection 2

The comments from the peer review made helped me put my thoughts together and tie

my essay off. I have increased the detail in the new essay compared to the old essay.

The essay was able to flow better after adding in more details about my Grandfather

and his stories. I was able to give more information about how he influenced me and

how ROTC has influenced me.

Stress, hard work, pressure, and strain, all of these can bring out the true

character in a person. We are put to the test every day, just in different ways. The way

we handle ourselves in those situations determines who we are and who we want to

become. Air Force ROTC has been my greatest test since I started college. I have been

pushed mentally and physically, all to improve myself and my fellow peers.

Growing up, I never thought about joining the military even though I could tell you

everything there is about World War II. Military history fascinated me and this showed

while listening to stories from my Grandfather who was a pilot in the Air Force. As a

matter of fact, both my Grandfathers were in the military. My mom's father served in the

Army during the Korean War. He dealt with the fuel for tanks. My dads Father was the

pilot. He flew cargo planes during the Vietnam War.

I could listen all day to the stories of my grandfather flying through the air. My

brother and I would sit on the warm brick of his fireplace while he told us about the
different aircraft he flew, his favorite being the C-130 Hercules. This plane was the

Workhorse of the Air Force. The four turboprop engines could lift just about anything.

The plane could take off and land in any climate, whether that be snow or sand. It was a

work of art, ugly steel art. Once I got to high school, these stories really did inspire me

to become a pilot. The only problem was, I wanted to be a helicopter pilot.

My Grandfather, whom we called Pap, straightened me up. He knew the true

dangers of being a helicopter pilot and told me a few more stories that would make me

change my mind and follow in his footsteps. One story completely pushed the thought of

being a helicopter pilot out of my head. One day while on a training exercise, my

grandfather spotted a helicopter while flying. He explained to me that helicopter pilots

have to go through extensive and scary training in the cockpit. This helo cut off his

engines and dropped like a rock falling hundreds maybe thousands of feet. At the very

last second the propellers spun up again and helicopter bounced off the ground. The

purpose of this training is for the pilot to counter the rotation of the propellers when they

are off in order to create the spin needed to start them again. Moral of the story is,

helicopters are death traps, if you lose your engines you might lose your life. And with

that, I was on my way to be a pilot. I specifically wanted to fly the F-22 Raptor, the most

advanced fighter jet of its time. Not only does it look amazing, the jet is made of a radar

resistant material. In other words, it is stealthy! Only the best pilots fly them because of

the limited amount of F-22s and it large price tag.

To accomplish my goal, I began the application process for the Air Force

Academy. The Academy only expects perfection from their cadets. The officers that

graduate are a leading example of what a soldier looks and acts like. Not only that, but
the Academy is the top producer of pilots. My kind of school, right? Well not so much.

My motivation was not enough in high school. I lacked the hard work and push needed

to get into the Academy. I managed to get as far as the congressional recommendation

to the Air Force Academy. This however did not stop my dream.

I continued to look for schools with Air Force ROTC detachments. ROTC is the

Reserve Officers Training Corps. I applied to UNC Charlotte and NC State. I was

accepted into UNC Charlotte and immediately signed up for their Air Force ROTC

program. I already new I had to push myself in this program. My older brother is a

member of the AFROTC program and has been a mentor to me. He has given me

resources to succeed and continues to push me. Three times a week, physical training

sessions are held. Exercises like running, pushups, sit ups, and any type of calisthenics

are implemented in the workouts. It is a battle every session, from the first push up to

the last sprint. No matter how hard the exercise, everyone in the room is giving their all.

All of this hard work is not just motivation to become stronger, it translates into

academics. The work that goes into physical training, goes into classes as well. Air

Force Cadets are the best they can be physically and mentally.

Not only is the physical side of ROTC tough, the mental side will push you to

your max. It is a whole new world when Thursday rolls around and Air Force classes

start. There is no goofing around. It is straight face, complete attention, prepare to learn.

These classes are meant to prepare the cadets to transition to military and officer life.

Everyone in the program will be in charge of others lives. The weight of the world is on

our shoulders. The focus in these classes transitions to regular classes as well. I have

found myself becoming increasingly aware of what is going on in my classes.

 Consistency and attention to detail is very important. Every Tuesday and

Thursday, cadets are required to wear a uniform. These uniforms vary from the dark

green polos for freshmen and sophomores to the green pattern ABU camos worn by

juniors and seniors. They must be worn perfectly. This means no wrinkles in pants or

shirt, shoe laces tucked in, and belt centered properly. Walking while using a phone is

prohibited and hats are not allowed when wearing the green polos. The covers, or

military caps, worn by the upperclassmen must be at a certain angle. It is a great honor

to wear a military uniform. The uniform is an example of the history of our military. It

represents all who have lost their lives while wearing the uniform and we are willing to

do the same.

I look forward to nothing other than growing in my leadership, strength, and mind

while apart of the Air Force ROTC program. I already have learned so much, even

though there is a great deal more to absorb. In four years, I will be able to say that I am

proudly serving the country I love. There is no doubt that those four years will influence

me and shape my future for the better.