As an Air Force Veteran and former Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet in his high school years, Mr. Adam Eastlund steps into his new position as Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor in hopes of inspiring current cadets enrolled in the ROTC program and preparing them for what lies ahead in the outside world.
After ending his 22-year career in the Air Force, Eastlund was in search of an internship within the ROTC program when he came across the opportunity that had opened on campus.
“Last year, I wanted to intern with this program and I picked this location because I had just moved here. I met Major Jennifer Pearl, and we spent about two days together [learning] about what ROTC is and how the program runs. Then the [JROTC] job became available, so I applied for it,” Eastlund said.
Eastlund’s goal for his class is to watch his students grow through leadership. He understands first hand how beneficial it is when preparing them for a career in the military and everyday life. Eastlund credits his own experience as a cadet for being able to manage the stress of leading a squadron of over 600 people during his time spent in the Air Force. Because of his success, Eastlund wants to give back by passing on his knowledge to future generations in the military.
“I was a prior ROTC cadet in high school when I graduated, and the program did so much for me, for my life, my life skills and leadership that I wanted to come and pay it back once I retired,” Eastlund said.
Second year Air Force JROTC cadet Alexa Espinoza-Celiz is looking forward to learning from Mr. Eastlund since he has taken the role of instructor from former staff member Sergeant Terry Barber. Espinoza-Celiz respects Eastlund’s patience with his students and has mentioned a noticeable change in engagement within the program since Eastlund’s appointment as the new instructor.
Espinoza-Celiz said, “I think [Mr. Eastlund] connects well with the students because he explains things very well, and he gives us a chance to understand. If we don’t get it, we can always ask him; it’s like a good environment to be in. He wants to help us, instead of making us scared to ask him for help. I think that people seem a lot more engaged and motivated to do ROTC compared to last year, and people seem a lot more interested in it because of him.”
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by LILA COMBS, RAIA CRIFASI, AMALIIA GIBADULLINA, GAVIN RALEIGH & ADDISON WONG
