Air Force ROTC News

Fatoumata Diallo ’23, Wesley Barbara ’23, Joshua Kent ’24, and Kyle Bordeaux ’22 pose with VMI flag.—Photo provided by E. Sean Lanier ’94.

Air Force ROTC Cadets Attend The National Security & Foreign Policy Leadership Briefing

“Each guest speaker offered a wide range of expertise on various topics ranging from Anglo-American relations to leadership from the cockpit of a high-performance jet,” Wesley Barbara ’23 said. “I look forward to implementing everything I learned.”

Leon Thomas '22

Rigors of VMI Education Prepare Cadets for Commissioning

“There's so much knowledge here,” Leon Thomas '22 commented. “There's all this different military experience from different branches that you really would never have seen in many other places.”

A wreath is carried at the Cadet Reflections on 2021 American Veterans Center Conference

Cadet Reflections on 2021 American Veterans Center Conference

Cadet Elias Tyson '22 attended the 2021 American Veterans Center Conference this November and offers insight and perspective into the event and its illustrious speakers.

Brig. Gen. Moreschi, dean of faculty, takes his turn on the latest flight simulator equipment during a  visit with Air Force ROTC

Flight simulator grand opening

Kilbourne Hall was buzzing with Aviation Excitement this past week when three brand-new flight simulators were unveiled by VMI’s ROTC programs! The Air Force, Navy, and Army ROTC departments have been working around the clock with VMI to develop these joint ROTC flight training assets.

AFROTC Det. 880 cadets with Gen. Jumper '66 at 9/11 ceremony next to wreaths at Virginia Mourning Her Dead statue at VMI. - VMI Photo by Kelly Nye

September 11th Reflections with Gen. John P. Jumper, VMI Class of 1966

General John P. Jumper, VMI Class of 1966, had been Chief of Staff of the Air Force for less than a week on 9/11. He helped adapt the Air Force to its new mission in the War on Terror after that fateful day. It was an honor for a handful of cadets, including myself, to meet with him.

Portrait of Cadets Eric Munro '21 and Leon Thomas '22

Two Cadets Receive Military Engineering Award

Two Air Force ROTC cadets have been recognized by the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME). SAME, which focuses on building leaders to address national security infrastructure challenges, honored Eric Munro '21 and Leon Thomas ’22 with a Southeast Region ROTC Award.

VP Mike Pence waves to cadets in Cameron Hall during his visit on September 10, 2020

Vice President of the United States Visits VMI Cadets

On September 10th, 2020, VMI welcomed the Vice President of the United States Michael R. Pence with Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy ’96 and U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz ’96. Air Force ROTC cadets were able to hear from the Vice President when he flew in on Thursday.

Photo of VMI AFROTC Cadets social distancing during PT, photo by Cadet Bridget Hughes ’22

Det 880 Adapts to Unique Challenge of COVID-19

Air Force ROTC Detachment 880 has worked hard to adjust its training activities to meet the unprecedented demands of a world struck by the coronavirus pandemic. Every area of the AFROTC program has evolved to adhere to mask usage, social distancing, and other COVID guidelines.

Army ROTC cadets take the commissioning oath in Cameron Hall this morning.

Over 160 Commission into Armed Forces

Cadets commissioned into the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force during VMI’s joint commissioning ceremony held in Cameron Hall May 15.

Two cadets stand with Vice President Michael Pence

Cadets See Latest Tech, Meet Vice President

Every year, AFROTC cadets have the chance to meet U.S. Air Force of all ranks and test out the newest technology at an annual conference. This past year, cadets met with a special guest: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.

VMI: Forging 21st Century Leaders