Junior Officer's Perspective

I am 1Lt Merle Schreckengost from the 914th AW Niagara Falls, NY.  I hope this article about my first experience attending the ROA Midwinter might be of some help to fellow JOs.

I first heard of ROA at my AMS commissioning class in Nov 2001. From then on, I was interested in finding out more.  I went back to my base and questioned several people about this organization including Major Anthony Butera, the current DONY president and my mentor.  I was told about the camaraderie and what ROA has done and is doing for the good of all the Armed Forces, not just my branch, the Air Force.  I liked that the military had a strong voice on Capitol Hill and that we had a "watch group" that protected our Reserve Force service members' rights and benefits.  That is when I decided to become a Life Member and to attend my first Midwinter Conference in 2004.

Arriving at the Conference, I was met by others from the 914th AW, 2Lt Alan Knapp and Col Robin Pfeil (Ret), a Life Member and DONY & National Advisory Committee member. Col Pfeil has been extremely helpful in mentoring junior officers like Lt Knapp and myself.  I was very relieved to be warmly welcomed by everyone I met.  All ranks of enlisted to officer from every military branch were happy to have another member and voice for ROA.  Col Pfeil guided me through the conference and introduced me to many people including Col Eileen Bonner, a past ROA National President, who made you feel at home and let you know that she was there to help.  I attended many lectures on different subjects and learned more about what our military really does.  I was very impressed with the guest speakers and that everyone was approachable for a short conversation no matter what military rank or public office they held. When the lectures were done for the week, it was off to Capitol Hill for some lobbying.  This was a learning experience that was just great.  I was impressed with the ability to talk to your representatives in person or that they were just a phone call away.  To be a part of an organization like this makes me wonder how much we can accomplish given the drive of the people behind the ROA.

ROA has made a lasting impression on myself and I'm sure many others will be just as proud to be part of a great heritage created by people like ourselves dedicated to the freedoms that make this nation great.

                                                                    
1LT Merle N. Schreckengost
914th AW OSF/IN
Niagara Falls IAP-ARS, NY 14304  
DSN: 238-2388