By LYDIA EARHART

Staff Writer

It takes more than a freshly ironed uniform to make a good cadet.

Tech's Air Force ROTC held its first weekly leadership laboratory for the winter quarter Dec. 1, which included speakers and a short award ceremony.

"We design [the leadership laboratories] for cadets to learn leadership," Kreig Cressione, Sgt. of the Air Force ROTC Detachment 305, said. "This lab puts them in real world situations that they may encounter on active duty."

Cressione said the leadership laboratory takes place every week for Tech's Air Force unit.

"If you were comparing this to chemistry, it is just like a chemistry lab," Cressione said.

Cressione said the cadets participating in the laboratory range from freshmen to seniors.

"I think our first lab was a platform," Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Wood, a senior mechanical engineering major, said. "This platform helped these cadets learn to propel themselves physically and mentally to become a good officer."

Wood said Col. Ray Garza selects the speakers at the laboratory.

The speakers for the first lab were Master Sgt. Tracy Garrett and Staff Sgt. Ebert McMahon.

"The speakers gave information that can help these cadets prepare for the Air Force fitness exam," Wood said.

Garrett gave the cadets information on how to eat well and maintain a healthy body. She spoke on what kind of diet the cadets should be on and how they should eat.

Garrett told the cadets what kinds of fats are good to eat and what fats to stay away from.

McMahon spoke on stress and how to deal with it in their environment.

"It's the military," Crissione said. "The nature of our job is stressful."

Along with the information, the cadets witnessed as Crissione was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Crissione received the medal for teaching commission officers how to do personal and information management.

"It is always an honor [to receive awards] because it shows you are appreciated," Crissione said. "I take the time to help them out."

Cadet third class Megan Knilans, a sophomore biology major, said she was glad to witness as Crissione received the award at the first leadership laboratory for winter quarter.

"Sgt. Crissione deserves this award because of all the hard work he puts into his job," Knilans said. "He is always willing to help."

"He is just an outstanding Non-Commissioned Officer," Knilans said.

Wood said he thought the first lab of the winter quarter went well.