Sheppard hosts AFROTC Shadow Day Published March 7, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Eleven Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets shadowed Team Sheppard members in various career fields of their choosing March 5 to help aid the cadets decisions for the future. The Job Shadow day gave cadets a chance to see what the operational Air Force holds in store for them. "The purpose of the Job Shadow Day was to familiarize the cadets with the active-duty Air Force and give them an idea of what they can expect as junior officers," said 1st Lt. Steven Cosgrove, 82nd FSS assistant operations officer. "Normally, cadets will visit once a year just to get a feel for the operational Air Force. This is the first time we've had them come to the base and actually get to shadow people in their future career fields. "The members that were shadowed didn't change any part of their normal routines so that we could give the cadets an accurate picture of active-duty life," he said. The cadets visited with Airmen from 82nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, 82nd Judge Advocate, 82nd Force Support Squadron, 82nd Contracting Squadron and pilot training. Cadet 3rd Class Michael Stratton shadowed members from the pilot training side of Sheppard and said it was very educational to him. "I got a chance to operate simulators, learned about physiology necessary to become a pilot and also got to see the intensity of the training," he said. "Any questions I had about my future career were answered today." Cadet Stratton also said he would recommend other cadets attend the highly beneficial Job Shadow Day as well. "For someone who without experience and exposure to the Air Force, this would give them more motivation and a much better understanding of the job they have chosen to commit themselves to for the next few years," he said. "This day has helped me confirm my desire to become an officer in the Air Force."