The school has introduced a controversial change this year: announcements are now made during flight time instead of during formation. Despite the controversy, teachers are finding ways to adapt to the new schedule, aiming to make flight time more effective and engaging for everyone involved.
This change was made by the faculty and staff at UMA. The changed was aimed to make our time in formation more effective and efficient. Ben Smith, our principal, explains, “This change was initiated by staff members who heard complaints from cadets that nobody listened to the announcements when we were in a large group during formation.”
Mr. Smith indicated that this is a permanent change for our school. “I don’t anticipate us going back to making all the announcements during formation unless there is a good reason brought to my attention.” When asked if students could change announcements back if there are enough complaints, he wrote, “No, cadets can’t make the change, but I’m happy to consider complaints if there are some.”
Not everyone has accepted this change. The shift from announcements during formation to flight time has divided opinions at UMA. It has sparked mixed reactions among the students.
Rafe Chapman, Echo flight commander, expresses his frustration at the change, saying, “It’s not worth my time,” Chapman shares with exasperation. “It’s not effective; it’s more or less wasting my time. It’s wasting my flight’s time, so they don’t have time to work on their work. It’s more effective during formation. During formation, everyone will hear the information, unlike flight time, where some people skip it. People with staff positions rarely get to hear announcements since they are barely in their flight rooms.”
However, not everyone in the Wing shares Chapman’s frustration. Ian Patino, the Oscar flight NCO, views the change as an opportunity for a better use of time. For Cadet Patino, the change in announcements has allowed for a more productive and organized flight time. “The change is better because we actually get to do stuff in flight time,” he explains. “We get to learn how to do things like drill and have an academic day instead of rushing to do that stuff.”
New students like Abigail Pantoja from Golf Flight, have not experienced the change and they only know the new system. She and many new cadets seem to appreciate it. “I feel like it’s better because standing at attention sucks.” Cadet Pantoja shares. “It wastes time out of my day, so it’s cool.”
This change may be a lasting one, so the UMA faculty and students can adapt to it and try to welcome it into their school life.
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