Not everyone is comfortable 1,500 feet off the ground, but for Cadet Capt. Steven McCord, his first experience will always be remembered as “the great view.”

Though most other math majors learn to cram numbers and memorize the quadratic equation, this junior from Norcross rushed off to flight instruction classes in his spare time.

During his freshman year, McCord said he knew he wanted to be in the military. He said his father, retired from the Air Force, encouraged McCord’s passion for planes.

McCord joined the University’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps in his sophomore year.

During field training, a rigorous physical and survival training four-week program, McCord was deemed “Top Gun,” the “cr�me of the crop” graduate out of the 360 cadets in his encampment.

McCord recently was notified he will go into pilot training after he graduates next May. He said this is a significant achievement, since only 10 percent of the Air Force actually flies.

At this year’s Arnold Air Society National Convention, McCord was selected out of the nation’s 135 university ROTC detachments as the recipient of the Arizona State University Commander’s Cup, a prestigious award given to an outstanding squadron leader.

“There’s several factors that go into a commander’s cup award,” said Capt. Andrew Scott, assistant professor of aerospace studies in the University’s Air Force ROTC. “Leadership is not just about having a plan, but taking the initiative to take that plan into action.”

McCord also received the Lovelace Memorial Award as the outstanding ROTC cadet in the Southeast region.

“As an airman, you have to embody the Air Force’s core values, including service before self and integrity . Cadet McCord embodies all of these,” Scott said. “He’s a phenomenal cadet and will be a phenomenal airman – there’s no doubt in my mind.”

For inspiration, McCord said he looks to his superiors, including Scott, and the duty men and women in service.

“They’re the people making the real sacrifices right now to protect our nation, and so it is motivating to remember that I am trying to join their ranks and work alongside them when I graduate,” McCord said. “But I have to get there first.”

As former squadron commander for the Arnold Air Society, AFROTC’s community service organization, McCord took command and increased recruitment numbers by 50 percent.

“He puts a lot of time into preparation and has a genuine care for the health of the organization,” said Cadet Capt. Eugene Fan, a junior from Atlanta. “He believes that there always needs to be growth and he made sure things didn’t stay stagnant.”

While excelling in AFROTC, McCord said staying on top of his academics can get difficult – but he tries to keep his long-term goal in sight.

“I know that in order to get where I ultimately want to be – pilot and leader in the U.S. Air Force – I have to figure out a way to balance them,” he said.

And he seems to maintain his humility, despite his plethora of awards.

“It’s easy to look good when you have great people behind you,” he said. “Everyone in the program pushes everyone else and you’re better off because of it.”

After graduation, McCord will have a 10-year commitment to the Air Force.

And the dream job?

“Definitely fighter pilot,” he said.