A Man In Uniform

I’m at a loss for what to write about this week regarding AFROTC but I suppose I’ll start by saying how earlier today I was thinking about who I would be without the program and without the prospect of one day being a commissioned officer in the Air Force.  It’s hard to imagine who I would be without it, and honestly, a bit scary to think that it is something that defines me.  I’ve still got three years ahead of me and god forbid, I could not get a spot at field training, break something important and be medically disqualified, or be in a serious civil involvement−any of which could put an abrupt halt to my dream.  Who would I be? I was also talking to a friend in my Honor Guard training detail and began to wonder what we would possibly talk about if we weren’t constantly thinking about AFROTC and Honor Guard.  The point I’m trying to make is that it’s an incredibly large part of our lives and, in a way, it isolates us from everyone else−civilians.  While anyone could decide to go back to college, become an artist, swim the English Channel, this is our one and only fleeting chance to join, while we are still young, healthy, and capable.  On a less serious note, the Air Force Ball is coming up in March and I’m mildly excited because it’s an opportunity to see a new side of everyone in Det 720.  We are professional at all times but it’ll definitely be interesting to see other cadets interacting somewhat more normally with their families and dates.  I’m still unsure whether my family will be coming, it’s a long 7 hour drive from Connecticut, and as for a date, I’m also unsure whether I want to bring one.  All the cadets go in uniform, and as a non-POC female I would have to wear the regular dress slacks which are close to, if not the most, unflattering pants I have ever worn.  I love a man in uniform, and I don’t exaggerate when I say that a uniform can make any guy appear that much more attractive.  However, girls in uniform tend to have the opposite effect on guys and I would feel awkwardly masculine bringing a date to the ball.