News

Team Dover hosts Diversity and Inclusion Day

  • Published
  • By Roland Balik
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Team Dover recently took the opportunity to show high school students the many career opportunities, within the military, available to them after graduating high school.

Having the opportunity to tour Dover Air Force Base and visit with Air Force personnel in various career fields was the goal of the 2015 Diversity and Inclusion Day held here, May 13, 2015, for Air Force Junior ROTC cadets from six Delaware high schools.

Approximately 127 cadets and their instructors came to the base for briefings on civilian and military employment, education opportunities offered in the military, recruiting information, a Military Working Dog demonstration, hands-on combat arms weapon familiarization, a dormitory tour, Fitness Center tour, Explosive Ordnance Disposal demonstration, C-5M Super Galaxy and C-17A Globemaster III static displays, and a job fair.

"It was great to see these young people so excited about the Air Force," said Capt. Stephen Bednarik, 436th Operations Support Squadron, Officer in charge of unit intelligence support, and event project officer. "To see them learn even more about the mission and to watch them get excited about our mission at Dover was pretty exciting."

The cadets took a special liking to the quality of life facilities Team Dover Airmen are accustomed too.

"We were pleased to hear they [the cadets] really enjoyed seeing the dorms," said Bednarik. "They saw one of the quads and were pretty impressed with the quality of living there."

He also stated that there were a lot of cadets who are athletes and were impressed by the Fitness Center.

"For them to see the quality of life and the way the Air Force treats their personnel speaks volumes," said Maj. (ret.) Daniel Alvarez, Air Force Junior ROTC senior aerospace science instructor, Middletown High School, Middletown, Delaware.

The U.S. Air Force's core values of "Integrity first, Service before self and Excellence in all we do" is one big thing instilled in the Middletown cadets stated Alvarez.

Not all Air Force Junior ROTC cadets from the six participating high schools plan on joining the Air Force after graduating high school.
"I want to go into the Navy and be a lawyer," said Kristin Moffett, a sophomore at Dover High School, Dover, Delaware. "Join ROTC, it's a lot of fun; it will help you with discipline and respect."

The cadets enjoyed a buffet-style lunch followed by a job fair at The Landings prior to departing the base.