Back to Main Page
Request for Special Duty or Position
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
FROM: 925 W-FLT/CC
SUBJECT: Fall 2022 Cadet Wing Commander Application
1. The purpose of this memorandum is to discuss the reasons why I should be considered for Wing Commander, my ideal team, my goals, and opportunities for improvement for the cadet wing.
2. There are many reasons why I believe I am a good candidate for cadet Wing Commander in Fall 2022. Since ROTC is a program to develop leaders, becoming cadet Wing Commander will help me solidify my leadership skills. My desired AFSC is Intelligence, and with that I hope to lead large groups of airmen. This wing position will help my strategic level of thinking and provide experience leading complex operations which 14N officers can often encounter. My leadership style leverages my positive attitude to create a welcoming culture. This will benefit the wing because the fall semester focuses on retention of new cadets.
3. My team is the most valuable asset to my application. The entire 300 class is extremely capable, so I am looking to select cadets I believe will grow in their positions. I would select C/Coulombe as Vice Commander, C/Brodeske as Mission Support Group Commander, C/Heuer as Operations Group Commander, C/Wohlfiel as Director of Staff, and C/Scarlett as GMCA.
3. There are three main goals I have for the cadet Wing. The first of them being accountability. Not only does this refer to reporting proper accountability, but it also refers to cadets holding themselves accountable for their training. Next, there needs to be more emphasis on exceeding the standard. Due to our modified covid semesters, many standards were not upheld. It is time to break these bad habits and create a strong foundation. Lastly, our detachment lacks a sense of wingmanship that we had prior to COVID semesters.
4. Now that we currently do not need to modify training for COVID precautions, it is necessary to accelerate our program and start the Fall semester off strong. There are a few items I think would be beneficial for our detachment and help reach the goals I have for the wing.
a. FLEX - The past two years we were unable to provide the GMC with FLEX. This introduced expeditionary exercises that are beneficial preparation for Field Training. The sooner we expose our cadets to this, the better off they will be. Cadets who wish to prioritize their training will want to attend FLEX which will demonstrate them holding themselves accountable.
b. Travel with a Wingman - My 100 year we were not able to travel without a wingman during LLAB. If a cadet needed to go to the bathroom, grab the guidon, or get water, another cadet needed to accompany them. There is great value in encompassing this in training because at Field Training you are not allowed to travel alone. This allows my goal of accountability and wingmanship to be at the forefront of this semester.
c. Service Dress/Blues Uniform wear - There is value in wearing these uniforms especially since cadets are wearing them again at FT. Although it will be an unpopular decision to increase this uniform wear, I believe there is training value in this increase. Not only does wearing this uniform prepare cadets for active duty, but it also is a gateway for wingmanship. There are still 400s who do not know how to properly wear the blues uniform. There is a lot of room for cadets to be a good wingman and help those around them wear the uniform properly and with pride.
d. 200 Takeover - A 200 takeover is when we would assign 200s certain cadet wing positions, have them learn from wing staff, and create and execute a training plan. I believe that this allows 200s to understand POC life prior to becoming one. Introducing 200s to the next step of ROTC will allow them to exceed the standard in the coming years by understanding what happens behind the scenes.
5. My desire to challenge myself as a leader and create a strong foundation for incoming cadets make me the ideal candidate to lead the detachment. I look forward to elaborating more on my plans with you all.
6. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at klutz3@wisc.edu or (815) 546-7747.
KIRSTEN M. LUTZ, C/Capt, AFROTC
Whiskey Flight Commander
Application for Commission
The military has always been a topic of pride for me. My great grandfather served in the Army in WWI and my great uncle served in the 82nd Airborne in WWII as a paratrooper. As far back as I remember, I knew that the Armed Forces was where I was meant to be and when I was 19, I enlisted into the Air Force. I have been blessed with a spectacular career serving for nine years in Little Rock AFB where I hit every major milestone I could and have served two years at Lackland AFB as an MTI. I m married, became a father of two beautiful daughters, and learned what it meant to serve as a husband, father, and leader in the service.
My time in the Air Force has been challenging because of the nature of the work. As a brand new Airman, I was thrown into a shop that worked on large-scale intermediate-level maintenance that by design was supposed to be filled with experienced individuals due to the dangerous conditions of the work. Realizing the circumstances I found myself in fresh out of Technical School, I knew I would have to work to become a dependable and knowledgeable technician. With the help and guidance of my NCOs, they facilitated rapid growth during my first year in the Air Force.
Those early years in the Air Force showed me that we all serve our nation by serving each other first. My first supervisor set me on the path that I am currently on right now, he pulled me aside as soon as I passed my initial OJT, directed me to the education center, and had me sign up for college classes. That first supervisor was the first one in my military career who poured into me and pushed me to reach for my full potential.
As my military career developed, my focus has gradually shifted from what it takes to fix an aircraft, to what it takes to maintain a highly functional team that can be counted on in all situations. My thought process on this subject changed in the final years I served at Little Rock AFB when I saw numerous experienced technicians leave the shop and the struggles we faced because of this. I concluded that teams are successful during change if the culture is strong in standards, dedication, and pride.
The Air Force has laid a strong foundation for who I am but I believe the Army is the place for me to reach my full potential as a leader in the Armed Forces. Commissioning in the Army offers the ability to serve at the highest capacity, because of the opportunity to develop a culture capable of withstanding the challenges and uncertainties of the future.