A cadet’s daily life at Texas State University isn't really that different from any other student’s, with a few exceptions. As future Air Force officers, we pride ourselves on putting in the extra effort, above and beyond the bare requirements, to excel in our quest to become “the standard by which all others are measured.” We understand that we may be called to sacrifice everything in the defense of our nation, including our lives. We take this obligation seriously and realize that we are training for the express purpose of defending our nation.

 

An AFROTC cadet at Texas State pursues a degree just like every other student, but also takes Aerospace Studies courses, which include freshman (AS100), sophomore (AS200), junior (AS300), and senior (AS400) classes. These classes, along with a two-hour-per-week leadership laboratory, are designed to prepare cadets to assume positions of increasing leadership and responsibility in our modern military and develop their knowledge of the Air Force.

 

Some of the activities that a cadet might participate in during the leadership laboratory include: drill and ceremonies, sports such as ultimate football and volleyball, paintball, obstacle courses, and briefings about the various topics related to today's Air Force. Recently, Detachment 840 has incorporated expeditionary field tactics into the training regimen.

 

Outside of class, there are many activities for cadets, both AFROTC-related and university-related. Some of the AFROTC activities include the annual Dining-Out (Fall Semester), Halloween Party, Welcome-Back Picnics at the beginning of every semester, and any of the organizations mentioned on our organizations page (Arnold Air Society, Honor Guard, etc.). The cadet wing also has cadets involved in many athletic, service and social organizations on campus.

 

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 840 is located in scenic, hilly San Marcos on the campus of Texas State University. Our current cadet wing has an enrollment of approximately 75 cadets, plus active duty staff.

 

Detachment 840 won the coveted Right of Line award in the fall of 1994, and in 2000 it was named the top detachment in the nation. Our detachment is made up of highly successful cadets and has many distinguished alumni, including retired Gen. Robert Rutherford, former commander of PACAF and AMC; retired Brig. Gen. F. Randall Starbuck, commander of the 45th Space Wing and director, Eastern Range, Patrick AFB, Fla.; Maj. Clark “Buck” Rodgers, former Thunderbirds lead solo pilot; and Maj. Rusty Keen, former second in command of the Thunderbirds.