Detachment 195, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps

💡SENIOR SPOTLIGHT💡

Our Spotlight for this week is Cadet Sophia Ktsanes

Rank: C/1st Lt

Position: Bravo Deputy Flt CC

School: University of Chicago

Major: Political Science, Russian, Quantitative Social Analysis

AFSC: 14N Intel

Hobbies: Puzzles, writing, violin, martial arts, ice skating, reading

What is my why: To solve consequential geopolitical issues

Piece of advice: Dance, see the world, and carry a big stick

💡Senior Spotlight 💡

Our next Spotlight is Cadet Joseph Janda:

Senior Spotlight

Rank: C/1st Lt

Position: Charlie Flight Deputy Commander

School: Lewis University

Major: Unmanned Aircraft Systems

AFSC: 11X Pilot

Hobbies: I play division 2 varsity lacrosse for Lewis, but I enjoy fishing, hiking, camping, running, golfing, and working out in my free time.

Why: Growing up I was inspired to join the military by my dad who served in the Army. That inspiration grew into a desire to serve and protect our great nation. I also thought flying a plane would be a fun job.
Advice: Be yourself and be nice to everyone. Show up everyday with energy and a positive mindset.

Almost lieutenant!!!

💡Senior Spotlight💡

Back at it again with this week senior being Cadet Jackson Nutter

Rank: Cadet Captain

Position: Public Affairs Officers

School: Illinois Tech

Major: Psychology

AFCS- 18X RPA Pilot

Hobbies: I play varsity baseball for my school, but I enjoy golfing, hiking, camping, traveling, and going to the beach in my free time.

My “why”: Growing up I drew inspiration from watching family members being apart of the U.S. Military. That inspiration grew into wanting to protect what I love and this great nation.

Advice: always seek mentorship. Surround yourself with wingmen that will be your friends but also hold you accountable. Ask questions. Never be afraid to take risks and or fail, those are the moments that you learn who you truly are and how to make yourself better.

💡SENIOR SPOTLIGHT💡

Today we get to meet Cadet Cody Payne

Rank: Cadet Major

Position: Morale and Resilience Officer

School: Lewis University

Major: Business Administration

AFSC: 64P – Contracting (OPEX) & 63A – Acquisitions (Primary AFSC)

Hobbies: I enjoy running marathons, golfing, going on hikes, watching sports, and traveling with my wife!

My Why: My “why” has evolved over the years, when I first enlisted in the Air Force straight out of high school my why was just to escape my small town, be able to travel the world, and get free college. As I have gotten older, my why now has shifted to being able to provide a good life for my family and being a role model for my future kids.

Advice: Seek out mentors early and learn from their experience. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

💡SENIOR SPOTLIGHT💡

Today we get to meet out next senior in the spotlight: Cadet Julian Reyna

Rank: Cadet Colonel

Position: Deputy Wing Commander

School: University of Illinois Chicago

Major: Neuroscience

Hobbies: I make music, but my artist name is now an a need-to-know basis. I also have a passion for teaching as I am a CPS enrichment instructor as well as a gymnastics coach!

My “Why”: Making my family proud and carrying forward the dreams my family never had the chance to chase. I’m also excited to tackle the world’s biggest problems, even if for now it’s on a smaller scale.

Advice:
I strongly recommend making good friends within the program. As humans, we are social creatures, and our success as a species has always depended on one another. Please also remember to take care of yourself before you take care of others. The goal of this program is to develop you into a competent, trustworthy leader, and a leader cannot lead effectively if they are not in the best condition to do so. Begin establishing healthy habits now, so they don’t catch up to you later when even more is at stake.

💡SENIOR SPOTLIGHT💡

Today we get to meet one of our seniors. Let us introduce Cadet Israel Dominguez:

Rank: Cadet Colonel

Position: Cadet Wing Commander

Hobbies/Club: working-out, mentorship, teacher-assistant, active department recruiter, black coffee connoisseur, cooking and photography. Also the UIC Institute of Industrial and System Engineers - Vice President !!!

What my why:
My “why” has evolved each semester, but at its core it has always been about being an examples for my younger family members. I want to show them that higher education is possible. Most of my family never had the opportunity to attend college, and navigating college myself was difficult because I didn’t have anyone at home who could guide me in the right direction.

Now that I’m nearing the finish line, I can look back and say I’ve done some incredible things, from hopping in the back of a C-130 for an incentive flight, participating in our base visits, learning how to fly and so much more. After I graduate, I will have a stable career in the Air Force, and throughout my time in school gained applicable industry skills and valuable connections through academia journey studying Industrial Engineering that I hope to carry forwards into my Air Forces career.

More importantly, I hope my journey shows my younger relatives that college is an option for them too. If I was able to do this, they can as well.

Piece of Advice:
Excel in every role you are given and never settles for the minimum. Push beyond the standard, leave every environment better than you found it, and make a lasting positive impact wherever you go. Your effort and attitude can shape not only your success, but also the people and place around you.

Over the weekend DET 195 had its Spring New Student Orientation Program where students got to learn about our detachment and the Air Force. If you are interested in joining Detachment 195 or Air Force ROTC, feel free to DM us or visit the Air Force ROTC website.

For the Link T-Shirts check out Bio!

The AFROTC Detachment 195 Booster Club is excited to announce our T-shirt fundraiser! All earnings from this fundraiser go directly back into the detachment budget, helping fund morale events, detachment trips, and other cadet development opportunities.

By purchasing a booster club T-shirt, you’re not just showing pride in Det 195, you’re directly supporting cadet learning experiences and the unique opportunities that make AFROTC special.

Thank you for your continued support of our cadets and the mission of AFROTC Detachment 195!

🚨 LLAB 8 🚨

Cadets worked further on drill and GLPs. The drill gave opportunity to perfect precision and discipline while the GLPs allowed cadets to continue to work on both their leadership and followership. Cadets also had to complete their final PFA of the semester.

🚨 LLAB 7 🚨

At LLAB 7 cadets continued to work on the fundamentals; drill and GLPs. There was a special focus on the Space Force as the week’s GLP had cadets gain experience thinking about how assets in space can be used to win battles on the ground. During drill practice, cadets got time to improve their guidon procedures.