Earlier this year, UTSA’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 842 was recognized as one of the best AFROTC detachments in the United States when it earned the prestigious Right of Line award for the third time in its history. The award reflects excellence in officer production for the Air and Space Forces, recruiting and retention initiatives, cadet activities, education and university and public relations.
UTSA was awarded in the Large Detachment category, which is made up of 145 AFROTC detachments located on college and university campuses across the country with at least 100 cadets. The UTSA detachment was also selected for the Team of the Year award, which specifically recognizes excellence in unit performance.
“Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 842 at UTSA was extremely successful in 2024 owing largely to the incredible support we get from University College and UTSA,” said USAF Col. Gregory Cyrus, commander of UTSA’s AFROTC detachment and department chair and professor of aerospace studies. “We also can’t deny the fact that we’re in a great city and have great military and community support that allows our cadre and cadets to flourish.”
The cadets themselves would attest that reaching that level of success is a daily journey — one that starts well before sunrise and ends well after sunset. Follow along as Sombrilla Magazine drops in on a day in the life of UTSA’s prestigious Air Force ROTC detachment, exploring the cadets’ dedication to self-improvement and how the university supports their journey to military leadership.
On a Thursday morning before dawn, Air Force ROTC cadets assemble on UTSA’s recreational field complex. The AFROTC provides students the opportunity to combine military instruction and aerospace studies with practical leadership training, all while receiving a first-rate college education. Photo by Matthew Boerger
Detachment 842 is the seventh largest Air Force ROTC detachment in the nation, with 230 cadets. It accepts students from colleges and universities across the San Antonio area, including the Alamo Colleges District, Trinity University, UT Health San Antonio, Our Lady of the Lake University, University of the Incarnate Word, St. Mary’s University, Texas A&M University–San Antonio, and Schreiner University. Photo by Matthew Boerger
Each Tuesday and Thursday, these cadets all gather for physical training from 6 to 7 a.m. Photo by Matthew Boerger
Physical training consists of a variety of exercises, including stretching, running and calisthenics. Photo by Matthew Boerger
UTSA’s Air Force ROTC program is part of the University College, which is also home to the Army ROTC. University College equips students to flourish in today’s increasingly complex world by fostering leadership, critical thinking, communication and connections, self-exploration and interdisciplinary learning. On Thursday afternoons, all Air Force ROTC Detachment 842 faculty and cadets gather in the Main Building for Leadership Lab. Photo by Ivan Estrada
Leadership Lab is a cadet-run session that’s organized and carried out by senior cadets. The lab includes activities such as drill and ceremony instruction, physical fitness training, sports competition and guest speaker presentations. Photo by Ivan Estrada
Maj. Tina Cavazos Director of Operations speaks during the Leadership Lab. In addition to the group awards the detachment won this year, Cavazos was named Air Force ROTC’s Operations Officer of the Year, based on leadership and job performance. She is a UTSA alumna and graduate of the AFROTC program. Photo by Ivan Estrada
In Leadership Lab, cadets demonstrate basic marching as well as the fundamentals of drill and ceremonies, focusing on discipline, teamwork and precision. These activities help instill attention to detail, leadership and team cohesion. Photo by Ivan Estrada
COMMITMENT TO MILITARY-AFFILIATED STUDENTS
UTSA is known for its commitment to supporting military-affiliated students, which make up nearly 16% of the student population. The university was ranked No. 71 among 350 ranked institutions in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 list of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans and was ranked No. 53 out of 304 institutions in Military Times 2024 Best for Vets: Colleges list.
