Operation Home Cooking 2015 at OTS

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman William Blankenship
  • 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala --  Operation Home Cooking is a program that gives Officer Training Cadets the opportunity to enjoy a home-cooked meal and mentorship during this holiday season. 
The event will take place on Thanksgiving Day, and OTS is looking for members from Maxwell Air Force Base and their families to sponsor students.

"It gives cadets an opportunity to get valuable mentorship from leaders in military and local community," said Capt. Katherine Siler, an instructor at OTS. "When in training, it is normal to feel forgotten or get down on yourself. This opportunity can be really uplifting for both the cadet and families participating."

Volunteers who sign up will be matched with their requested number of cadets via email NLT 23 Nov 15. 

"The past students have been extremely thankful and blown away that the community took them in and showed them they care," said Siler. "This is an optional event for cadets, but every year, those that take part in it return grateful for the opportunity."

Approximately up to 400 cadets are in need of the Thanksgiving experience this year.

Interested members can sign up to host cadets by visiting the registration website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/operation-home-cooking-2015-volunteer-signup-tickets-19352573067; when prompted, use the password:  homecooking2015.  Registration will close Nov. 20, 2015, 11:59 p.m.  Officer Training School will then request that volunteers make initial contact with their cadets via email or phone in order to facilitate making any necessary transportation arrangements no later than Nov. 25, 2015. 

On Thanksgiving, cadets will be authorized to leave base after 7:00 a.m. and must return to base no later than 10:45 that evening.  For safety reasons cadets are not authorized to travel farther than 120 miles from base, and must travel in groups of two or more.  Consequently, OTS cannot accept volunteers who can only host one cadet.

Additional information regarding rules of engagement will be provided to volunteers once they are matched with the cadets.  The overall expectation is that cadets will spend their holiday in a professional but relaxed environment. 

Direct questions or concerns via email to:  Capt Katherine Siler (24 TRS/DOC), Capt Jessica Boettcher (23 TRS/DOA), or Capt Carolyn Rocco (Holm Center/CR).  (24 TRS/DOC/Capt Siler/953-8327).