Written By: Cadet Hunter Bode
My name is Hunter Bode and I am currently the Cadet Vice Wing Commander for Detach 465. I’m a 5th year mechanical engineering major with an emphasis in thermodynamics and will be graduating/commissioning this December! Some of the most rewarding experiences I've gained through the AFROTC program at UNL are serving as the Flyover Coordinator for two years, aircraft rides in an AC-130 and T-6, attending the 30th NCLS at the Air Force Academy, and getting to solo pilot a Cessna-172 through the You Can Fly program.
I’ve recently been selected as a 92T0 - Pilot and will attend UPT post-commissioning. This summer, I worked as a Flight Test Engineering intern at Eglin AFB, FL designing F-35 weapons release systems and creating a “digital twin” of the F-16 so testing can be done using a computer prior to the live flight. I hope to one day be a pilot in the test and evaluation realm of the Air Force or be an instructor pilot.
My advice to all the younger cadets in the Cadet Wing is to take as many opportunities as you're able and genuinely give your all in your studies, AFROTC, and life. I've learned that cadets who sign up for that optional PDT, go to that pet-the-jet, work with their trainers in flight times, and put their name in the hat for the vast other opportunities provided to us cadets will get so much more out of the AFROTC program and grow exponentially more as a leader and person. I also encourage the younger cadets to work as hard as you can in every aspect of your life while maintaining a healthy balance between work, fitness, studies, AFROTC, and free time. Hard work will get you to where you want to be, but allowing yourself to enjoy the ride there will make it memorable. The 4-5 years you're in college and AFROTC moves pretty fast... if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
