ROTC cadet adds award to collection

Air University commander Lt. Gen. Allen G. Peck addresses the audience during a ceremony honoring ROTC cadet Jason B. Gabriel, who received a Cadet Research Award for his work on orbital mechanics. (U.S. Air Force/Melanie Rodgers Cox)

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ROTC cadet adds award to collection

Published Aug. 5, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Christopher S. Stoltz
Air University Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- A Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet here for ROTC summer field-training received the Cadet Research Award July 21 for his research on orbital mechanics.

Cadet Jason B. Gabriel is a senior at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the cadet wing commander at Detachment 340, located in Worcester, Mass. He is slated to become a second lieutenant upon graduation in May.

Cadet Gabriel received the award for his research, which focused on variations in the Earth's gravitational field, solar storms and space-weather events, and improved the

Air Force Research Laboratory's grasp of Earth-orbit characteristics.

In addition to those achievements, Cadet Gabriel developed computer programs, scripts and spreadsheets to assist with his research, increasing productivity in his project as well as the orbital mechanics analysis process.

"During my research project, I developed a method for predicting the movements of commercial communications satellites," said Cadet Gabriel. This method can be used by the Air Force to predict the locations of commercial satellites and help avoid possible collisions with Air Force satellites.

"I am excited to know the results of my research project can be used to benefit the Air Force's space assets," said Cadet Gabriel. "The award means a lot to me and I am glad to have won it."

Cadet Gabriel has won a total of 16 awards and commendations, including the Sons of the American Revolution Award, American Legion General Military Excellence Award, AFROTC Commendation Award, Achievement Award, Warrior Spirit Award and the Military Order of the World Wars Award.

"He is truly an extraordinary cadet who will be an outstanding second lieutenant," said Lt. Col. Cynthia Provost, Detachment 340 commander. "Everyone at Detachment 340 is thrilled to hear he has won the Air Force Cadet Research Award. We're immensely proud of him."