Extracurricular Organizations

Why Arnies?

By: Cadet Benjamin McDonough

Air Force ROTC is not an easy program. There's no reason to sugarcoat, but you're looking at this website right now, regardless of how hard you think it might be, for one reason: You want to serve your country. Unfortunately, your commission date and entrance to active duty are probably four years away, at the least. Luckily, there are other opportunities for you to satisfy that hunger to serve while you're here at The Ohio State University.

Arnold Air Society is the only Air Force Association and Air Force ROTC-associated extracurricular recognized across the country. Where there is an Air Force ROTC Detachment, there is an Arnold Air Society Squadron. We are a professional, honorary service organization advocating the support of aerospace power. With over 1,000 active cadet members from across the country, Arnold Air Society is an organization like no other. We work constantly to both serve the university area and participate in large, nationwide service projects. You will both be joining a family of cadets and a tradition of excellence here at Ohio State and taking yet another huge step on your path to commissioning. If you want to serve your country, start by serving those in the local community through an organization dedicated to the task. Join Arnold Air Society.

The Centurion Drill Team

By: Cadet Eurella Vest

The Centurion Drill Team is a select team of high-performing cadets dedicated to the skilled execution of precision drill. It strives to develop skilled and disciplined Air Force cadets while serving the public as a precision military drill unit.

The Centurion Drill Team has been an Ohio State tradition for decades. Consistent throughout its history is the consideration of only the highest caliber cadets for acceptance on the team. The team provides The Detachment with its most successful cadets and leaders. Cadets must learn how to overcome adversity and push themselves mentally, physically and emotionally. In accordance with these standards, all Drill Team members are required to maintain excellent academic standing and score at least a 97 on the Air Force Fitness Assessment.

Within the realm of drill, the Centurion Drill Team performs in three major areas: ceremonial color guards, sabre arches and exhibition drill competitions. On average, the team performs 20 to 25 color guards per academic year, along with several summer events. Presenting the American and U.S. Air Force flags is both an honor and a privilege. Our presence functions as a disciplined and proud representation of the greatest Air Force in the World.

In the late spring, the team stands proud in front of the Wing at Dining Out. It welcomes the Official Party and presents the graduating seniors for the final time before they are commissioned as Second Lieutenants with two prestigious sabre arches. The team performs sabre arches for other events including weddings and retirement ceremonies as well.

The team also travels around the country to perform at exhibition drill competitions. These events bring universities together from all over the United States to compete in flight drill, color guards, two-man trick routines, rifle drill, innovative drill and more.. Countless hours are dedicated to polishing difficult routines involving rifle spinning, throwing, and complicated drill routines in preparation for performances planned and executed by the Director of Active Training. 

Drill Team members achieve success both in their personal lives and in the Air Force ROTC program. They embark on their Active Duty careers with confidence, leadership and integrity. Being a member of the team instills in cadets compassion for their fellow wingmen, courage in the face of hardship and excellence in every situation. These arequalities that will carry them through their military and civilian lives.

Do You Have What it Takes?

The pledge process to become a Centurion is extremely demanding. Pledges should expect a mental, emotional and physical experience The rigor required of you will grow and shape each cadet and a leader, and the bonds you form with your fellow pledges will stay with you throughout your years at Detachment 645 and into your active duty life. Those who choose to accept the challenge should not do so lightly, but by persevering through this process, they will never again be content with mediocrity.

For more information about membership or the activities of the Centurion Drill Team at Ohio State, please contact Air Force ROTC.

What Makes a Perishing Rifleman?

By: Cadet Lynsie Schwerer

For over 100 years, the National Society of Pershing Rifles has maintained a reputation of military excellence for developing its members into great leaders, entrepreneurs and, most importantly, friends. Founded in 1894 by then 2nd Lt. John J. Pershing, who would go on to become general of the army, Pershing Rifles began as a military fraternity with emphasis on drill, military bearing and warrior ethos. Now with companies all across the nation, Pershing Rifles is a society that continues to push its members towards their maximum potential while granting them lifelong friends and memories as well.

At Ohio State, Company A-1 of Pershing Rifles carries on the strong traditions of fraternity, service and military excellence set forth by its founder. Members experience a training period to improve their physical fitness, problem-solving, military bearing, drill and tactical knowledge. After training, Pershing Rifles will continue to push themselves through a practice drill exhibition routine for the National Conclave or compete for the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge. Our members have a proud history of producing exceptional military members including pilots, Special Forces operators, sniper selects and cadet wing and battalion commanders. The A-1 drill team has also won accolades for their drill performances at National Conclaves throughout the country.

Most importantly, Pershing Rifles creates lifelong friendships. While much of the knowledge the society provides benefits those in the military, active military service is NOT required to be a member. Our company is often comprised of officer candidates, enlisted members, veterans and civilians simply interested in being a part of what the fraternity has to offer. 60 years after they graduated from Ohio State our alumni continue to keep in touch to check in on the company, stop by for tailgates and regale current members with stories of "the good old days".

For more information about membership or the activities of Pershing Rifles at Ohio State, please contact Air Force ROTC or Army ROTC leadership.

Fortune Favors the Bold

What it means to be a part of Pershing Rifles: 

“My experience in high school, on basketball and track teams, and briefly in Boy Scouting had never produced a sense of belonging or many permanent friendships. Pershing Rifles did. For the first time in my life, I was a member of a brotherhood. The discipline, the structure, the camaraderie and the sense of belonging was what I craved. I became a leader almost immediately. I found a sense of selflessness within our ranks that reminded me of the caring atmosphere within my family. Race, color, background and income meant nothing. Pershing Rifles would go the limit for each other and the group. If this was what soldiering was all about, then maybe I wanted to be a soldier.”

Gen. Colin Powell

Why Scabbard and Blade?

By: Cadet John Schaub

As an Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) cadet at The Ohio State University, there are many extracurricular activities available to help you grow as a future Air Force officer. You are also provided the opportunity to work closely with other armed service members; which is critical to your career success, as the military works closer with each other than ever before.

As a Scabbard and Blade Pledge, we will work to help you grow as a confident leader, who can work well under stress and in environments not typically seen in AFROTC training. You will be taught basic combat skills such as formations, moving under fire, navigation, weapon discipline and first aid. Beyond learning these skills, you will join your battle buddies and wingmen in weekly PT (physical training?), to help reinforce the importance of teamwork and motivation.

At the end of the pledge process, your knowledge will be evaluated in a Field Training Exercise (FTX). In FTX, you and your team will be thrown in a simulated combat environment and have to react quickly and confidently to a variety of situations, many of them under fire. In addition, your bond as a team will be tested in a Ruck Challenge, where you and your team must work together to make it through a ruck march.

Upon successful completion of training, you will join the ranks of the Active Members. As an Active, you can now join in on exciting outings like paintball and gun range visits. 

You will also get the opportunity to help teach the Pledges skills you learned and act as their evaluators and enemies in the FTX. The joint environment we foster in Scabbard and Blade provides a unique opportunity for you to get outside your comfort level and work with the best team Ohio State ROTC has to offer.

1 Day for the K.I.A.

By Cadet Eric Myeroff 

The mission of 1 Day for the K.I.A. is to keep the essence of fallen service members alive through our Living Legacy Scholarship Endowment, the first ever student-funded endowment in The Ohio State University history. The Living Legacy Scholarship is given to the children, siblings, or spouses of a service member who has been killed in action, missing in action, held as prisoner of war, or 100% disabled, with intention of attending Ohio State. This scholarship is primarily funded through an annual 24-Hour Endurance Race held on the Oval. 

1 Day for the K.I.A. consists of Ohio State students, most of whom are ROTC cadets from all branches. Although the project was started primarily to serve a population and a cause we have a heartfelt connection to, we are also excited for the leadership and business learning opportunities that come with operating a non-profit organization.

For the cadet who wishes to create a difference, learn about the true tragedies of war, and apply their ROTC-learned leadership skills, contact the 1 Day for the K.I.A. commander to see how you can help, or visit our website for more information!