Exploring the Pathways to Blue

Today at Keesler Air Force Base, students from ROTC programs at seven different universities got an in-depth look at life in the Air Force and the scope of possibilities provided to our nation’s airmen. News 25’s Hank Davis brings us the story.
These faces could belong to the men and women that will be keeping our nation safe in the near future. Keesler Air Force Base is introducing this group to the world of possibilities offered by the Air Force.
Pathways to Blue is a program that allows cadets to familiarize themselves with various aspects of enlisted life from day to day. Cadets experience everything from in depth simulation rooms to a 40 minute flight on a C-130. First Lieutenant Candace Weiser said, “Basically the purpose is to educate and inspire students that are in the Air Force ROTC right now so they’ve come from all over the south east region. We have them from Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. There’s about 178 cadets here to just learn about what their opportunities are in the Air Force.”
The program has the potential to open these cadets’ eyes to career choices they never knew existed. First Lieutenant Pedro Romano said, “Pathways to Blue is an exceptional opportunity for all of the potential cadets that are going to be hopefully coming into the Air Force. It shows them what they can expect day in, day out and they can see the different career fields, see what interests them ‘cause you don’t want to put somebody that doesn’t enjoy what they’re doing. You want to put them into a job where they are going to enjoy what they’re doing.”
Many of the cadets say Pathways to Blue has really assisted them in making their decisions about life in the Air Force. Cadet Daniel Pearson with Alabama ROTC said, “I think it shows you, probably, the highlights of the Air Force, you know flying in planes, working in jobs that help other people and benefit the country as a whole. I think that’s really important when you’re making your decision. You can see the affects that the Air Force has on the nation.”