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Whether students join for the scholarship opportunities, leadership training or personal reasons, the Air Force ROTC provides students with the opportunity to learn about the United States Air Force and prepare to serve in the armed forces upon graduation from college.

In recent years, interest in the program has been increasing: The program commissioned 26 students this June, the largest class in many years, said Lt. Col. Anthony Leppellere. On average, about 15 cadets are commissioned each year, he said.

Initially, many students join the program because of the scholarships ROTC offers to incoming freshmen as well as to continuing college students. But once some students begin their training in the program, they say financial benefits are no longer the main reason for their continued involvement in the Air Force ROTC.

Cadet Blake Wayman, a fourth-year mathematics and economics student, said the scholarship opportunity helped him pay his out-of-state tuition. He also said he wanted to get a pilot position and that ROTC guarantees all commissioned cadets a job – though not necessarily one in a cockpit.

Wayman begins a year of pilot training this summer to receive his pilot license. Once his training is complete, he will begin his active duty at an Air Force base, where he will serve for a required 10 years.

Wayman said a great part of being involved with the Air Force ROTC is getting to know the other people he works with.

“It’s a big jump going from ROTC to second lieutenant, but after four years of training, I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

Traci Shiraishi, a fourth-year biology student, said ROTC has provided her with leadership opportunities and life lessons.

“It has really helped me to grow,” Shiraishi said. “The people really make it what it is. I’m excited and looking forward to (serving).”

Karla Ruiz, a fourth-year history and Asian American studies student, had a military background before UCLA; her father is a Navy officer, and she was involved with the Air Force Junior ROTC in high school.

Ruiz said meeting people and creating relationships with those she will serve active duty with are benefits of the program.

“It’s a great way to serve your country and it’s a good investment,” Ruiz said.

Not all students who join the program are commissioned; cadets are commissioned only after fulfilling all their course requirements and field training and passing the physical exam and fitness tests, Leppellere said.

Between their second and third years, cadets go through a one-month field training, during which they decide whether or not they want to continue their involvement with the Air Force ROTC. Field training consists of 17-hour days, where cadets adhere to a physically demanding schedule. The cadets are then evaluated based on their performance, Leppellere said.

After field training is completed, cadets are placed on contract and expected to serve a minimum of four years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force.