For Ava Wynn, a criminal justice major at Troy University, joining the Air Force ROTC program meant more than preparing for a military career. It meant discovering her purpose and finding her family away from home.
“Coming here, it’s like finding your family almost, just finding your purpose,” Wynn said. “It’s motivating and disciplined. It’s been a great addition to my college experience.”
As a sophomore in TROY’s Air Force ROTC program, Wynn is continuing a legacy that spans three generations. Her grandfather, Tom Wynn, and her father, Henry Wynn, both participated in ROTC at Troy University. “Once I was in high school and looking at jobs, this really sounded like something I wanted to do,” she said. “TROY was just the best opportunity for me.”
The demands of the Air Force ROTC program are rigorous. Students are expected to maintain their physical fitness outside of scheduled training and keep their grades up to remain in the program.
“It was definitely a little bit overwhelming at first. There’s a lot to do,” Wynn said. “It’s a lot of dedication, but it’s motivating and inspiring to see other people doing that with you. It makes everything seem so much easier if I can get through these hard things.”
The discipline and time management skills she has developed extend far beyond her military training. “You get out of it what you put into it,” she said. “If you volunteer for things, you’re going to be more involved and busier, but then you get the rewarding feeling afterwards.”
One of Wynn’s most rewarding experiences has been serving on the color guard at football games. Despite the late evening practices that take time away from other commitments, carrying the flag onto the field fills her with pride. “It definitely fills me with honor to be able to take those flags onto the field—these flags that we stand for—and to be the one to bear that,” she said.
This Fall, Wynn helped organize the 9/11 stair climb event, coordinating the color guard and participants. The event commemorated the first responders who climbed the stairs of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. “To see that all come together and see the people there, I was really proud of our team and everyone in ROTC that brought that together,” Wynn said. “That was probably one of my favorite moments because we were working on that for quite a while.”
Beyond the ceremonies and training, Wynn has found her closest friends within the program. “The people there are all on the same page and all motivated to do the same thing, so it brings us really close,” she said. “That’s where most of my friends come from.”
After graduation, Wynn plans to combine her criminal justice degree with her military service by pursuing a career in Air Force special investigations.
For Wynn, the journey through Air Force ROTC at Troy University has been transformative. The program has given her discipline, purpose and a community of people who share her commitment to service.
