Experiences

The Freshman Orientation Training Exercise (FORTE) usually starts on the Monday before classes begin at ISU and take place over three days. The following is typically for FORTE. The first day begins with in-processing paperwork, setting expectations and getting to know your fellow cadets. The second day sees an introduction to Drill and Ceremony and a morning workout as a Detachment. On the final day, cadets experience a military obstacle course, basic marching, and discuss what AFROTC is like with current students.

Each year on the third Friday of September, Detachment 250 commemorates National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Day. The entire day is dedicated to honoring and remembering those men and women who have yet to return home. Early morning of POW/MIA day, a group of cadets travels to the Iowa statehouse in Des Moines to begin the memorial POW/MIA run. Back at the university in the Gold Star Hall in the Memorial Union, members of the honor guard stand guard at a memorial display, reminding students of the sacrifices of previous servicemen and women.

Each fall the Cyclones play the Hawkeyes, cadets from Iowa State get together with Cadets from the University of Iowa to play a game of flag football. Later on in the weekend, some Cadets chose to stay and watch the game. The location of our games alternate every other year between ISU and U of I. This is a fun tradition that has built camaraderie for years, and is an event that many Cadets look forward to.

Every Spring Semester, Detachment 250 takes basketball teams up to Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. This exciting and unique event gives cadets the opportunity to play against other detachments and branches around the nation. Cadets practice in groups after Thanksgiving break, leading up to the trip. Going to Notre Dame gives cadets the chance to represent their detachment and meet other students nationwide!

Dining In is a traditional dinner held in a hangar at the Ames Municipal Airport. Cadets dress up in costumes based on a central theme. The main interest at Dining In is the grog bowl. Plenty of different ingredients are added to the grog by Cadets including dipping sauces, juices, soda, and ultimately, a less than appetizing drink is made. After the events have died down, dinner is served. Finally, a guest speaker addresses the Cadet corps. At the end, everyone helps clean the entire hangar, including all the crumbs of bread that are scattered everywhere. By the end, everyone has had their fun, and Dining In is over.

Dining out is an exciting event for AFROTC Det. 250 Cadets, Cadre, their families, and special guests. It is an annual banquet held every spring to celebrate the detachment and present awards to outstanding Cadets. Dinning out is typically held in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union. Each year, a distinguished guest comes to Dining Out to speak to the Cadets about the future of our Air Force. The guest speaker is typically a graduate of Iowa State who has had an extremely successful career in the Air Force. Then, there is an awards ceremony for many excellent Cadets and the evening ends with a speech by the distinguished guest and ballroom dancing.

The Honor Guard is the official ceremonial unit of Air Force ROTC Det. 250. The Honor Guard’s primary mission is to represent the U.S. Air Force at all public and official ceremonies within Ames, IA. Ceremonies include, but are not limited to, Reveille and Retreat, POW/MIA Awareness Day, ISU Sports Games and Events, Air Force ROTC Leadership Laboratories, Retirement Ceremonies, and Commissioning Ceremonies.

The Arnold Air Society is a professional, honorary service organization advocating the support of aerospace power. The “service” aspect is perhaps the foremost in the mind of many members, because of the society’s continuing contributions to our campuses, our communities, and our corps–but it should always be remembered that our primary mission is to improve ourselves as future Air Force officers.

Silver Wings (SW) is a national, co-ed, professional organization dedicated to creating proactive, knowledgeable, and effective civic leaders through community service and education about national defense.

Silver Wings’ objectives are:

• Professional Development
• Personal Development
• Civic Awareness