During the Air Force ROTC leadership lab Thursday, the entire corps will be working to reingnite their community efforts.
"This week we are going to go out and have the entire corps, every cadet, go out and do a service project," said Ryne Watts, special activities flight commander and junior in industrial and systems engineering. "We've got five different locations we're going to be at, and we'll be making an impact on the community."
Cadets will serve at Jean Dean Reading is Fundamental, the Boys and Girls Clubs in both Opelika and Auburn, the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve and the Denson Drive Recreation Center.
"We've set a goal of 300 cumulative service hours for the detachment," said Ryan Smith, senior in communication and public affairs officer for AFROTC.
Smith said one of the best parts of the service project is the opportunity to help his community while in uniform.
"The officers who are in charge of our training are always harping on, 'Make sure when you are in uniform, you're not doing anything stupid,'" Smith said. "You are representing the Air Force to the best of your ability. Most times it's a negative thing--don't do this or that--but this is something where we get to be out there in uniform and represent the Air Force, and it's something that definitely has a positive connotation to it."
Doing something locally is an important aspect of the project, said Margaret Tucker, deputy flight commander and junior in exercise science.
"It's good to be in uniform and giving locally right here in the Auburn area," Tucker said.
Watts said they started planning the project at the beginning of the year.
AFROTC has collaborated with two service organizations, Silver Wings and the Arnold Air Society, on past projects, but according to Smith, the groups haven't worked together much recently.
The current unit decided to make a change.
"Every semester we rotate out our leadership," Smith said. "Everyone brings their vision mission goals, the directions they want to move the wing, and one of the main goals
is getting involved in the community."
Tucker said she thinks everyone is looking forward to the opportunity.
"It's the first time we're doing it, and everyone is really excited," Tucker said. "A lot of times we're just sitting in Lowder doing presentations. It'll be good to be outside helping people out instead."
Smith said he thinks it's important for AFROTC cadets to help the community whenever they can.
"Being part of the military means you're going to be a part of humanitarian efforts," Smith said. "You are a staple of the community."
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