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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Cadets and instructors from the second of two Special Warfare Operations Courses pose for a photograph at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado., June 30, 2022. In all, 61 Air Force ROTC and Air Force Academy cadets participated in the summer courses to prepare them to be special warfare officers. (U.S. Air Force Academy courtesy photo)Cadets and instructors from the second of two Special Warfare Operations Courses pose for a photograph at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 30, 2022. In all, 61 Air Force ROTC and Air Force Academy cadets participated in the summer courses to prepare them to be special warfare officers. (U.S. Air Force Academy courtesy photo)
                
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Air Force creates Special Warfare programs for ROTC, USAFA cadetsPublished Sept. 10, 2022
                    
                    By Maj. Nate Roesler
                    
                    
                    Air University Public Affairs
            **MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFNS) --****Air Force Special Warfare** created a formalized special warfare cadet program to help **Air Force ROTC** and **U.S. Air Force Academy** cadets prepare to be special tactics, combat rescue, or tactical air control party officers.
This program was developed in response to cadets arriving at selections for special warfare, the only specialties requiring a pre-commissioning screener, without access to proper procedures to practice many of the graded events, according to Col. John Graver, individual mobilization augmentee to the director of Air Force Special Warfare.Cadets practice infiltration into an objective area from an Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion during the Special Warfare Orientation Course at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., June 28, 2022. In addition to Fort Carson helicopter support, UH-1 Iroquois from the 54th Helicopter Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and T-53 airplane trainers from the 306th Flying Training Group at the U.S. Air Force Academy supported the training program. (U.S. Air Force Academy courtesy photo)Cadets practice infiltration into an objective area from an Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion during the Special Warfare Orientation Course at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 28, 2022. In addition to Fort Carson helicopter support, UH-1 Iroquois from the 54th Helicopter Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and T-53 airplane trainers from the 306th Flying Training Group at the U.S. Air Force Academy supported the training program. (U.S. Air Force Academy courtesy photo)
            
            
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“We want cadets to know what they need to prepare for, and to have the knowledge to do so safely and effectively,” Graver said. “Historically, neither the Air Force Academy nor AFROTC filled all of their commissioning slots for Special Warfare, which down the road impacts mission readiness.”
According to Graver, many cadets who are interested in special warfare train without any curriculum in place to properly prepare them for success when they go to special warfare selections.
“Another concern we have is safety,” he said. “Some facets of special warfare training and selection are inherently dangerous if not practiced correctly. Our training materials help cadets know how to practice these exercises safely. This program includes lesson plans, risk management, and physical strengthening plan and is something that we feel can take an interested cadet and get them ready for the next level.”
The program was tested at two-week Special Warfare Orientation Courses over the summer at USAFA, concluding on July 1. More than 60 cadets took part in the approved professional development training and summer program under the guidance of more than 30 uniformed and civilian staff from USAFA, major commands, and Air Force and Army flying units.
Cadets were exposed to more than 20 topics to recruit and prepare them for selection. These included land and water fitness, troop leading procedures, small-unit tactics, decision making, and planning and executing global access, precision strike and personnel recovery missions.
Cadet Raymond Bates, from Indiana State University’s AFROTC Detachment 218 learned that “being a leader is about inspiring and trusting your team.” He said he embraced the missions where he, “had to choose the best course of action while processing a lot of information.”Cadets wait in the prone position by the edge of the pool before beginning 10-ups during the Special Warfare Orientation Course at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., June 8, 2022. The exercise starts in the push-up position followed by an underwater swim across the pool. Most cadets do not have enough confidence in the water before being tested. This exercise and others provided the necessary proper training to build that confidence safely.  (U.S. Air Force Academy courtesy photo)Cadets wait in the prone position at the edge of the pool before beginning 10-ups during the Special Warfare Orientation Course at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., June 8, 2022. The exercise starts in the push-up position followed by an underwater swim across the pool. Most cadets do not have enough confidence in the water before being tested. This exercise and others provided the necessary proper training to build that confidence safely. (U.S. Air Force Academy courtesy photo)
            
            
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“SWOC exceeded my expectations, with a better understanding of the physical standards and in-depth practical experience of the 19Z [Air Force specialty code] to bring back to my detachment,” said Cadet Kailen Jordan, of AFROTC Detachment 005 at Auburn University, Alabama. “The course provided an opportunity to see how I lead under stress, something difficult to learn elsewhere. SWOC was an amazing opportunity that deepened my excitement about trying to be part of the Air Force Special Warfare community.”
Cadet Maxwell Spear, of AFROTC Detachment 630, Kent State University, Ohio, enjoyed the experience getting to work with cadets of the same mindset.
“I enjoyed how the events were structured, building upon one another,” he said. “In the higher-stressed events, I learned to not worry about future events and instead live in the moment and focus on what is directly in front of me.”
Additionally, cadets can participate in Special Warfare Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Weekend, which first began last academic year.
“We want to provide interested cadets as many opportunities as possible to prepare,” Graver said. “Between weekend events, two-week courses, and hopefully many more Special Warfare Clubs at detachments, we can prepare as many cadets as are interested to succeed as special warfare officers. It’s an extremely challenging and rewarding career like no other and it’s one the country needs young men and women to go into.”FS 



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