THE DROPZONE
U.S. Government Spying on our Allies... pg. 6 1
Table of Contents Introducing Cadet Dixon Page 4-5 U.S. Spying on Foreign Allies ‌. Page 6-9
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Table of Contents Introducing Cadet Cavera - Page 10
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Introducing Cadet Dixon
I didn’t always want to be in the United States Air Force. When I was younger, I wanted to be a doctor, a pro soccer player, a bus driver, a motorcycle mechanic, etc. However, Once I decided that I wanted to be in the Air Force, my mind stopped changing, and I was set on being a part of something great, and doing something that not everybody wants to do or has the chance of doing. I love to help people, and I am someone who wants to make a difference not just in someone’s life, but in the world too. So to me, being in the Air Force will allow me to serve my country and help people at the same time. I first decided that I wanted to be in the military when I was in middle school. My dad served 27 years in the navy as a submariner, and once I was old enough, we told me stories about the time her had served. He was also able to expose me to military lifestyle by visiting some bases and military museums. Once I began to understand what the military was all about, basic lifestyle, job opportunities, and the benefits of serving, I knew that it was the life for me. Now the next step was deciding what branch I wanted to serve in, what I wanted to do, and how I was going to get there. When I started high school, I joined the AFJROTC program. I will never forget the feeling I had when I first walked into the room. With model planes hanging from the ceiling, previous class portraits and Air Force posters hanging from wall, I knew that this was going to be a fun class. It was here that I overcame my fear of public speaking and being shy. I also overcame the fear of wearing the Air Force Uniform. Because I wanted to still remain cool amongst my friends, for the first week or so, I would change out of my uniform after class, even though I was supposed to wear it all day till school was over. Then I learned that I could get in trouble for doing that if I was caught, so I manned up. As the class progressed, I understood that wearing the uniform was a privilege, and that I was a part of something greater. I met new friends in JROTC, and together we wore the uniform with honor and pride. Although some cadets did not take this class as seriously as some others, the cadets who did, like myself, benefitted greatly. Even though not everyone who was in the corps wanted to join the military, we all shared a common goal, which was to be better citizens, which was the mission of the AFJROTC program. Some of my best moments throughout high school are highlighted with the AFJROTC program. This is where I learned that not only did I want to join the Air Force,
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but that I wanted to become an officer. I learned how to be a leader, how to be a better citizen, and many other things that have shaped me into who I am today. After graduating high school, the next step was to become an Air Force officer. Unfortunately, I did not join a college ROTC program right out of high school. The financial struggle that I was going through at the time put my university life on hold, and thus I continued my post high school education at a local community college. I started to change my mind about my career, and almost decided to just become a police officer at one point. One year of college already done, I didn’t want to fall behind if I had to enter a four year detachment late so I gave up on the life I wanted the most, not knowing that there were other options out there that I could take. With a little bit of luck and good faith, I was able to find a school, which offered my degree major, criminal justice, and an AFROTC detachment that was only two years opposed to four. Now that I am AFROTC, it is very much like AFJROTC. With the instruction, the camaraderie, the chain of command, the physical training, and the environment reminding me of everything I did in JROTC. The only difference is that this time, it’s for real, and my future is resting in my hands and my peers are not only my team members, but my competitors as well. I also see that everyone here shares the same goals as I, which makes working together much easier, but also makes competition that much harder. There is so much information being thrown at us on a daily basis and for that I am grateful for everything that JROTC taught me, because without it, I would be lost. I felt bad for the cadets who have no experience in military or did not go through a ROTC program like I did, but at the same time I feel good having the advantage. I look forward to what my AFROTC detachment has to offer me and I will take these next two years by the horns and strive to be the best Air Force officer I can be. With hard work and dedication, you can pursue whatever dream your heart desires.
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Europe Falls Out of Love with the U.S. Over NSA Spying
By Rory Benz 6
Last week, Edward Snowden decided to release classified information about United States Intelligence communities spying on European and other foreign allies. The flurry of activity was fueled by a report published online Thursday by The Guardian. The British newspaper published what it said was a 2006 memorandum indicating a U.S. official provided the NSA with 200 phone numbers tied to 35 world leaders. The NSA and other intelligence communities have been under scrutiny since the early 2000s for acting too much like a ‘Big Brother’. Just recently intelligence agencies have come under scrutiny not only by U.S. citizens but also by the national community for abusing their surveillance abilities among other nations. On Friday, German Chancellor Angle Merkel said “ The U.S. National Security Agency have raised "deep concerns" among Europeans and could affect the cooperation needed for effective intelligence gathering.” This lack of trust between our allies could affect our relationships as well as our abilities to acquire information on terrorism from allied countries.The United States is not preforming such actions just because they can. It should be understood that the U.S. is preforming such actions for the nations security, in economical ways, as well as counter terrorism. German officials launched a legal investigation and said the escalating scandal could disrupt counterterrorism collaboration between the United States and the European Union. The U.S. responded to these allegations by saying everyone spies on one another; the U.S. just has the most effective ways in doing so. A White House official Lisa Monaco said that our allies cannot act as if they had no idea this was going on. This is not a new ordeal that has just risen from nowhere, these spying tactics have been occurring since the Bush administration was in office. For example the United States was caught spying on the Greek Diplomatic Communications Center, for economical purposes and received mild repercussions. The difference between the spying that occurred on the Greek and the spying that occurred in Europe is, the U.S. has not only obtained information through the countries leaders, but also obtained information from multiple foreign countries citizens private phone lines. Over 70 million digital communications records were taken from France alone. The U.S. is now dealing with a country being upset as a whole rather than the countries administration alone.
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel
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Unfortunately it seems that the United States government has angered many world leaders and it could be leading to the United States being punished for their actions. Mainly in the form of multi-million dollar fines. Obama has yet to speak publicly on this topic, but he has been in contact with Angela Merkel and the French President Francois Hollande. President Obama hopes to come to an agreement with these leaders soon. In a phone call with Francois Hollande, according to Reuters, "The president (Obama) made clear that the United States has begun to review the way that we gather intelligence, so that we properly balance the legitimate security concerns of our citizens and allies with the privacy concerns that all people share." After the phone call it seems that the tension Germany and France shared had simmered down. President Obama wishes to continue to discuss the issue through diplomatic channels.
Francois Holland the President of France, meets with president Obama in early August 2013.
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Introducing Cadet Cavera My name is Seth Cavera. I’m from Colorado Springs, CO. I have two sisters, Megan and Kaitlyn. I was born to Lois and Robert Cavera on April 28, 1992. My father is the athletic director and head men’s basketball coach at the United States Air Force Academy Prep School and my mother teaches second grade at Kilmer Elementary School. I attended LewisPalmer High School and graduated in 2010. After high school I attended Basic Cadet Training and then went to school at the United States Air Force Academy Prep School from 20102011; graduating with an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. I turned down the appointment to play basketball at Belmont University. At Belmont I played in the NCAA tournament against Georgetown University. After playing at Belmont I transferred to Charleston Southern University to study Political Science and joined the Air Force ROTC program. After leaving the Prep School I realized that I would still like to be an officer in the Air Force. I really bonded with my fellow cadets at the Prep School and eventually came to the realization that you cannot find that kind of brotherhood in any other profession. The opportunities that are available in the Air Force are unlike any other job. My goal is to become either a Para-rescue or Combat Control officer and lead my brothers in arms.
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Integrity First Service Before Self Excellence in All We Do
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