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Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)
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Experiences

Cadets pose in front of an Air Force plane

Throughout the year, Detachment 250 hosts and participates in many annual events including: Dining In, Dining Out, the POW/MIA Day run, and many more. In addition to annually planned events, cadets take it upon themselves to boost the morale of their comrades. Game nights, hiking trips, and holiday karaoke are just a few of the activities cadets have planned.

  • Cadets participate in an obstacle course

    Forte

    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.

  • Group of cadets running in the POW-MIA run underneath a bridge that says Iowa State University

    POW/MIA Day and Capitol Run

    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.

  • Co-Ed group of cadets at flag football event

    Flag Football

    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.

  • Female Basketball Team

    Notre Dame Basketball Tournament

    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!

  • Cadets take a sip of a drink at Dining In

    Dining In

    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.

  • Cadets seated around a table at Dining Out

    Dining Out

    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.

Other opportunities

Honor Guard

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 Honor Guard voluntarily chooses to represent every member past and present of the United States Air Force. While on ceremony, the movements are sharp, crisp, and motionless by choice. The Honor Guard must have high standards of conduct and professionalism in and out of the uniform. Members of the ROTC Honor Guard learn how to march with the precision of the Air Force Honor Guard. Cadets are taught how to respect and care for the National Colors. Cadets who are chosen to perform embody a strong sense of dedication and have earned the right to wear the ceremonial white Fourragère.

Arnold Air Society

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.

The following three objectives were adopted by AAS to enhance the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) and the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), and to project the image of the United States Air Force on the university campus and in the surrounding community.

  • Create a more efficient relationship among Air Force officer candidates, in particular within the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.
  • Aid in the development of effective Air Force officers.
  • Provide opportunities for officer candidates to participate in campus and community service activities, demonstrating the close relationship between civilian and military institutions.

Recruiting Team

Recruiting team is the face of the detachment on campus and in the community. The team visits local high schools and works at campus events to spread awareness for Air Force ROTC and answer questions that prospective cadets may have. Being on the recruiting team gives you the opportunity to help young men and women make smart and informed decisions about their future.