Photo By Kelly Morris | Cadets from the Reserve Officer Training Corps, U.S. Military Academy and the U.S....... read more read more
More than 50 cadets from Reserve Officer Training Corps, the U.S. Military Academy, and the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School had a chance to participate virtually in an informative session with Army leaders and experts highlighting aviation branch opportunities during Black History Month Feb. 26, 2023.
The event was hosted by Capt. Matthew Manning, an Army aviator and leader who serves with 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, in conjunction with the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence Organization and Personnel Force Development directorate at Fort Rucker.
Manning thanked participants for joining the Zoom call on a weekend to learn about the process to become an Army aviator, and hopefully dispel any myths about branching Army aviation.
“We’re doing this at a unique and outstanding time of the year--Black History Month, so we’re able to pay homage to all those that essentially came before us and then show you all that at the end of the day representation of minorities is within our beloved branch,” Manning said.
He explained the meaning of branch’s slogan, “Above the Best.”
“We serve and we fly above the best Soldiers in the world, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender,” he said. “It is our task to support that ground commander in any time and space to fight and win. That’s why we’re ‘Above the Best’.”
Whatever branch the cadets choose is the best branch in the Army, but aviation has its rewards, said Manning, who drew inspiration for his career from the Tuskegee Airmen.
“You should want to show up every day and challenge yourself, and do something rewarding,” he said. “Something rewarding for me was to continue that legacy that was set forth by 14 minority aviators down at Tuskegee, Alabama.”
The branch drives change and presents the enemy with multiple dilemmas, he said.
The session focused on the mission of Army Aviation, branching requirements, an overview of flight school, and the chance to hear from several diverse role models and senior leaders in Army Aviation, featuring a panel of Army Aviators ranging from the ranks of captain to colonel to recent retiree.
Various briefers covered topics included the branch’s core competencies and capabilities, tasks and mission sets of its attack and reconnaissance airframes, utility/cargo airframes including aeromedical evacuation and personnel recovery, fixed-wing airframes, and special operations aviation assets.
Manning said the first step in branching aviation is to avoid self-eliminating as he encouraged participants to choose aviation. The process requires completion of the Selection Instrument for Flight Training (“SIFT test”), as well as a flight physical and interview.
Manning explained the knowledge, skills and behaviors of Army aviation professionals, including the ability to understand, process and translate vast amounts of data into understandable concepts; having diverse academic backgrounds and broad experiences; and being adaptable, agile, disciplined and a critical thinker.
Talent priorities include being a prudent risk taker, innovative and able to multitask, and having solid interpersonal skills.
He also explained the branch has a diverse accessions panel.
A team of experts provided an overview of flight school, including the U.S. Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape School requirement, phases of training and aircraft selection, as well information about assignment opportunities and career progression, and other topics.
Col. Rob Bryant, 25th Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade commander, said the meeting was about being informed.
“Army aviation has a long and distinguished lineage and heritage, and I am honored to be a part of it,” Bryant said.
He said he had a boss once who shared a quote that initially sounded cliché to him--“Service and duty is its own reward.”
The longer he served, and the more opportunity he was given to lead and be responsible for America’s sons and daughters, the more the adage proved to be true, he explained.
“I wake up every day honored that I get to serve our nation,” he said.
He thanked the participants for considering service, and he encouraged participants to ask questions.
“I do hope many of you elect to pursue aviation both as a career and as a profession, because Aviation has served me tremendously well for the past 25 years,” he said.
Retired Col. Hise Gibson encouraged participants to be willing to compete and be part of a performance-based branch.
“Please get in the arena,” Gibson said. “You can’t compete if you don’t show up. Aviation is an amazing place.”
The event included a question-and-answer session for cadets with the panel of aviation experts.
| Date Taken: | 03.03.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.03.2023 16:11 |
| Story ID: | 439657 |
| Location: | FORT RUCKER, ALABAMA, US |
| Web Views: | 182 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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