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Cadet of the Northwest competes for Cadet of the Year

  • Published
  • By Airman Amber Kelly-Woodward
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Matthew Dougherty, a 2003 graduate of O'Fallon high school, was selected for the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Northwest Region's Cadet of the Year Award.

Lt. Dougherty was an average student in high school who participated in varsity cross country and track and field. Upon graduating, he attended St. Louis University with the ROTC program. At SLU, Lt. Dougherty was a Distinguished Graduate of the AFROTC program at Detachment 207. He also received the university's Oliver Parks award for demonstrating leadership. Lt. Dougherty graduated with a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the SLU Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology with a 3.84 grade point average in May.

"It really is a reflection of mentorship," said Lt. Dougherty. "My parents and Col. Malec invested a lot of time in me and it is a testament to the wingman concept that the Air Force emphasizes. Hard work pays off. My dad was a navigator and had no shot at colonel, but hard work paid off. It may not pay off today or the next day, but it will."

Lt. Dougherty will compete with five other nominees at the national level. The winner selected is ranked as the number one cadet out of 4,600 cadets in the AFROTC and Air Force Academy.

"As long as I can remember, it's been a passion of mine to serve in the Air Force," said Lt. Dougherty. "My mother tells stories of how I used to run outside of the house without permission to watch B-1's fly over our house and scream 'Airplane! Airplane!' I used to go to air shows by myself and ride my bike to the end of the flight line to watch planes take off. I knew wanted to do something much more important; to work with an organization with global impact and be a patriot."

Lt. Dougherty is a currently working as a civilian for Col. William Malec in Air Mobility Command headquarters air, space and information operations.

In November, Lt. Dougherty will go to Columbus Air Force Base (state), to attend pilot school.

"I want to fly a C-17," said Lt. Dougherty. "The boy in me thinks an F-22 is just as much fun too."

Lt. Dougherty comes from a military family. His grandfather served during the Korean War as a paratrooper for the Army. He retired as a sergeant major. His father, Col. Dougherty, works in the inspection division of AMC's Inspector General.

"My dad is a huge inspiration," said Lt. Dougherty. "He has been in the Air Force for 30 years and has been an incredible example for me. He has been a huge influence and role model for what a leader and an officer is."

"I was completely blown away," said Col. Dougherty. "I thought it couldn't be any better when he was named a Distinguished Graduate, but when he won the regional cadet award I was just blown away. I was excited about giving him his commissioning oath, it was one of the highlights of my entire life. I am proud of his performance and future potential."

"My goal is to serve my country, live the core values and set a standard of excellence," said Lt. Dougherty. "I don't have plans of leaving the Air Force soon, I may even end up in senior leadership."