'Best of the best': Meet Capt. Robert Horstmann

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Charles V. Rivezzo
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Editor's Note: This is part five in a six-part series highlighting the 77th Weapons Squadron. Next month's article will feature the graduation of these four elite operators.

"Aggies never quit," three words that have stained the mind of Capt. Robert Horstmann, 77th Weapons Squadron student, since his days as a Texas A&M University Corps Cadet.

"During your freshman year as a Corps Cadet, you get beat down quite a bit, but you never quit," Horstmann said with a smile. "That's the mentality I came into this course with. You come in as one of the best in your respective squadron, and come to find out you're far from it. The learning curve is steep and you get beat down on a constant basis. But you never quit. You build yourself back up to be better than you once were."

Everyone has their own reason for attending weapons school. Some look to further their careers as many patch-wearers find themselves in leadership positions throughout the Air Force, while others aspire to be known as the 'best of the best' and lead their squadrons into battle.

However, Horstmann has a different reason for becoming a weapons officer.

"The reason I came here was not for my career," the weapons system officer said. "I came here so I can go back to my squadron and make those guys better. I want to make sure, that when we step out the door, every one of my guys is prepared to the fullest. I want them to be better than me and pushed to the best of their ability."

Furthermore, Horstmann hopes to one day return to the 77th Weapons Squadron as an instructor after serving as a weapons officer in his squadron.

"Being able to make these guys better and further their development as operators is something I look forward too," added Horstmann. "Getting that patch on your shoulder opens a lot of doors for you. Being able to come back to the 77th Weapons Squadron as an instructor would be the opportunity of a lifetime."

While nearly every student hails from Ellsworth AFB, S.D., Horstmann is the lone Dyess representative in class 11B.

"Some may think I have some sort of home-field advantage," laughed Horstmann. "There are definitely some pluses and minuses to attending the course at my home station. On the plus side it's great to be able to go back to your own home, sleep in your own bed and kick back watching your own T.V. But the little things like mowing the lawn, cooking dinner and keeping the house clean are the things that add up. And with the little spare time we have, it's those things that definitely hit the back burner."

The students of class 11B now race to the end of this demanding five-and-a-half month course. Having endured Defensive Tactics, Weapons Employment, Flex-Targeting and Integrated Tactics course phases, the Mission Employment phase is all that stands in the way of these aviators receiving their patch.

"Having just gone through the IT phase, I feel much more confident going into Mission Employment," he said. "This is our final exam to becoming a weapons officer. There is still a lot of stress on us. We all know we haven't reached the end yet, and there is no taking our foot off the gas as we head into Mission Employment."

The Mission Employment phase, held at Nellis AFB, Nev., is an aerial exercise on the largest scale possible.

"Every weapons school student from across the Air Force will be at Nellis for this final phase," said Capt. Michael Griffith, 77th Weapons Squadron instructor. "Our students can expect to integrate and mission plan with nearly 80 different aircraft during this time. These students have dedicated the last five months of their lives to one day be a patch-wearer. This phase is all that stands in their way."

In addition, the relationships these students build with other future weapon officers during this time is irreplaceable.

"To be able to mission plan, fly and debrief together as a team is crucial for each operator to understand how each platform works and what role they play during battle," added Griffith.

Horstmann and the rest of class 11B have been pushed to the brink of their aviating ability and have endured the stressors of arguably one of the toughest courses the Air Force has to offer. With the successful completion of Mission Employment, students will remain at Nellis AFB for a weapons school graduation ceremony Dec.10.

Continue to follow us as we capture the climax of the weapons school course. Read how each of our students performed and get an inside look on the Mission Employment phase and graduation ceremony.

These operators dedicated the last five months of their lives to this course and now look to return to their squadrons with the ever-elusive weapons officer patch adorning their left shoulder, and be inducted as a member of one of the most exclusive fraternities across the globe.