Cadet Col. Ryan Castonia, an Air Force ROTC cadet wing commander with Det. 365 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, on April 5 received the 2009 Air Force Cadet of the Year Award from Gen. Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff, during a ceremony at the Pentagon. “I feel very blessed and honored to receive this award,” said Castonia, who will graduate from MIT in June with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aeronautical engineering. Upon receiving his commission, he plans on becoming a combat rescue officer trainee. Schwartz cited the ancient Greek word “arete,” which means excellence in describing Castonia, saying he is “an example of this kind of quality.” Castonia credited his parents for his success as well as the “outstanding training and support” from the cadre at Det. 365. The Air Squadron of the United Kingdom sponsors this award. (SAF/PA report by MSgt. Russell Petcoff)
A provision in the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill will require the Defense Department to include the military occupational specialty of service members who die by suicide in its annual report on suicide deaths, though it remains to be seen how much data the department will actually disclose.