Top photo: Brig. Gen. Anthony J. Rock '82 with UTSA's
Col. Lisa Firman
Bottom photo: Rock speaks to UTSA group

General commends UTSA Air Force ROTC

By Omar Hernandez
Public Affairs Specialist

(May 26, 2009)--As guest speaker at the Air Force ROTC commissioning ceremony May 10 at the UTSA Main Campus, Brig. Gen. Anthony J. Rock '82 expressed amazement at UTSA's growth and the quality of the UTSA Air Force ROTC program.

"Coming back to UTSA 27 years after graduating was an incredible experience," said Rock. "I was amazed at how much it had grown -- the explosion of students and facilities were overwhelming. It is clear the university is a world-class institution capable of rivaling any of the best in the world."

Rock was equally impressed with Detachment 842. UTSA boasts the sixth largest Air Force ROTC program in the nation and is second in Texas behind Texas A&M University. An accomplishment, Rock said, that is a direct result of the cadets and the staff who guide them.

"I was astounded that the UTSA ROTC detachment was so large -- over 200 cadets is phenomenal," said Rock. "It just goes to show how well the permanent staff of the detachment is doing. Anytime you can draw that many applicants to any program, you must be doing a lot of things right."

Rock began his military career after graduating from UTSA in 1982. He earned his Air Force commission, attended undergraduate pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, and then served as an instructor pilot and flight examiner at the training base.

Over his career, Rock has commanded a fighter squadron and a center, and served as wing vice commander with assignments at Air Force installations in Florida, Virginia and Germany. Currently, he is deputy director of operations at U.S. Northern Command Headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.

For more information, contact Col. Lisa Firmin, commander of UTSA Air Force ROTC Detachment 842, at (210) 458-4624.