Texas Tech University - La Ventana Yearbook (Lubbock, TX)

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CADET ACTIVITIES First hand experience L ■- OUTSTANDING CADETS Receive Air Force medals. at Re AF ba Time For Socials, Too The Air Force ROTC program includes many interesting extracurricular activities to interest the cadets. There is a flying club, rifle team, precision drill team, an all-girl volunteer drill team, band, Arnold Air Soci- ety, the Homecoming float project, a formal ball each spring, individual unit functions, a cadet wives ' club, two field days, inter- flight athletic competition and a barbecue supper. The flying club is called Tail Busters. Its purpose is to promote an interest in fly- ing activities and to increase understanding of academic subjects relating to flying. Membership is voluntary and all AFROTC students are eligible. The club owns a Cessna- 120 airplane. It is controlled by the membership of the club, as each member owns an equal share of the plane. More activities. The Rifle Team pro- motes esprit-de-corps and morale of the cadets and allows student and instructor to associate in some activity other than class- room instruction. The team fires .22 calibre target rifles in competitive matches — either by proxy or in shoulder-to-shoulder compe- tition here or at other schools. The team flies to these matches in USAF aircraft when planes are available. The Cadet Wives ' Club was organized to promote interest in and understanding of life, customs and careers of the Air Force. The membership is composed of wives of both basic and advanced AFROTC cadets. The annual Homecoming float and AF- ROTC Spring Ball are sponsored by the Air Force ROTC Cadet Association. The float entered in the 1959 Homecoming Pa- rade won first place in the independent divi- sion of the contest. The spring ball is a gala occasion and features such name bands as Ted Weems, this year ' s enter- tainer. AF speakers. Cadets also heard two in- spiring Air Force speakers. Col. Babb, dep- uty commander at Reese spoke on Air Training Command and its opportunities. Air Force Research Development Com- mand was the topic of Col. Carey L. O ' Brian, Jr., deputy commander of Air Force Special Weapons Center at Albu- querque, N. M. Senior class AFROTC members flew in a KC-135 jet tanker to Walker Air Force Base at Roswell, N. M., in April. Junior mem- bers visited Ft. Worth ' s Convair plant and Carswell AFB the same month. In other extra-curricular activities, the unit had two field days during the year. One was an inter-flight athletic competition on campus last fall. A barbecue and track event at MacKenzie Park accented functions during the spring semester. v w 1 % m mWT yH i m p jfl| p kl . 1 mp i f 1 On the ground before in the air. AFROTC SWEETHEARTS Chosen by the cadet groups. 28

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- AIR FORCE ROTC Academic Program Since its organization in 1947 the Air Force Reserve Officers ' Training Corps at Texas Technological College has grown to a present enrollment of over 500 — the sec- ond largest unit in the Southwest Confer- ence. The AFROTC offers varied opportunities for any ambitious young college man. The initial motivation to serve as career officers in the United States Air Force is one prime objective of the overall program. An airman may investigate any of the various fields offered. Each year he has the opportunity to advance into more complex areas of his interests. Freshman year. The first year consists of a general survey of air power designed to provide the student with an understanding of the elements of air power and basic aero- nautical science. It includes fundamentals of air power, military air powers of the world, military research and development, air vehicle industries, airlines and airways, general aviation, elements of an aircraft and aerodynamics. The studies of aircraft control, navigation and propulsion systems, space vehicles, military instruments of na- tional security, and professional opportuni- ties in the United States Air Force are also covered. Sophomore year. The sophomore year of Air Science is a survey of tne appii.-a.iou of air power in time of war, and covers the roots and development of aerial warfare — emphasizing principles of war, concept of employment of air forces, and the impact of changing weapon systems. The treatment of AIR FORCE ROTC Top brass. aerial warfare is undertaken to include tar- gets and weapons, aircraft and missiles, bases and facilities and operations. During the freshman and sophomore years trips are taken to Reese Air Force Base, west of Lubbock. Here they receive academic supplement and are afforded the opportunity to fly in different types of air- craft. Completion of the first two years in ROTC ends the cadet ' s Basic Air Science studies. Before enrolling in the advanced course he must meet mental, physical and aptitude requirements of the Air Force and be accepted for the program by a selection committee during his sophomore year. Junior year. The junior program con- sists of the study of knowledge and skills required of a junior officer in the United States Air Force. Principles and practices of leadership include the basic psychology of leadership, the military justice system, and application of problem-solving techniques and leadership theory to Air Force prob- lems. The summer between the junior and sen- ior years advanced cadets must attend a four-week summer camp at an Air Force base. During this period cadets are familiar- ized with actual operation of a base and the Air Force in general. While at camp cadets receive rides in jets as well as con- ventional types of aircraft. Senior year. During the fourth and fi- nal year the potential Air Force officer studies such subjects as weather, navigation, international relations, and the military as- pects of world political geography. A study of major factors underlying international tensions is included. Senior cadets qualified for pilot training receive flight instruction in Piper Tri-Pacer airplanes. Upon the completion of this flight instruction program he receives a pri- vate pilot ' s license. When cadets enter the active Air Force they may receive second lieutenant com- missions in any of several fields, including engineering, mathematics, physics, chemis- try, business administration, accounting, languages and others. Flying opportunities are those of pilot, navigator or crew mem- ber on larger aircraft such as the B-52 or B-58. Some of the non-flying jobs an officer may be assigned to are research and devel- opment, missile development, weather, maintenance, supply, transportation, intelli- gence or administration. • CADETS ON REVIEW. Drill every Thursday. 27

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ARNOLD AIR SOCIETY «-., t i ?H Air Forct . 1 s In in) : i Is r r : r.- .- :M si | -k ;ar. ■-pWKS - ;r; ■! Mm Commander W. D. SCOTT FIRST ROW: J. Bell, D. Blanton, B. Brown, V. Buck, C. Cochran. SECOND ROW: B. Filler, L. Grabaum, B. Haass, W. Hogan, J. Hood. THIRD ROW: W. Kerbel, D. Lacy, M. Laird, P. Laird, D. Lee. FOURTH ROW: J. Lyons, G. Miller, B. Newbill, L. Plumlee, F. Prochaska. FIFTH ROW: P. Reynolds, R. Sewell, R. Steede, R. Tidwell, R. Webb. From a humble beginning in 1947 at the University of Cincinnati, the Arnold Air Society has grown to figure prominently on almost every campus that has a complete Air Force ROTC program. Its goal is the furtherance of the mission and the promo- tion of American citizenship in the Air Age. At Tech the Arnold Air Society is known as the Lewis C. Ellis, Jr., Squadron. Fulfill- ing its intended purpose, the chapter has been very active in several events this year. Activities. Under the leadership of Wil- liam D. Scott, commander, and Phillip C. Reynolds, deputy commander, the society has participated in a program of assisting in school-sponsored activities. Squadron members performed a worthwhile service to their school by acting as ushers for the speech given by former President Harry Truman. The sponsoring of a Christmas party for the Church of Christ orphans ' home was another of the chapter ' s service projects. Not only have the members of the Society assisted in school activities, but their socials include a mixer with the Angel Flight after the initiation of their members. They also have a smoker for prospective members. The men who wear the blue and gold arm band of the Arnold Air Society on their U. S. Air Force uniforms are dedicated to their school, their country and their fu- ture service. Not all Air Force ROTC students are ad- mitted to this organization. Pledges must have a 1.25 grade point average overall and a 2.0 in their Air Force subjects. They must also be accepted by three-fourths of the members to come into the Society. 29