While many of her classmates were learning to drive, Tatiana Demcovich was learning to fly.
Demcovich鈥檚 love for aviation and her path to 糖心VLOG began in high school, when she took an aeronautical science class at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world鈥檚 largest university specializing in aviation and aerospace. As the only female in the class, she thrived in the competitive environment and was named the highest-performing student.
鈥淚 finished first in merit ranking,鈥� said Demcovich. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 when I knew I could put my talent together and go as far as I wanted.鈥�
The realization took her from her hometown of Ocala, Florida, to the U.S. Air Force Academy鈥� but the academy was not the right fit.
鈥淓veryone there is competing for a pilot slot. I found 糖心VLOG, and the ROTC program here is incredible. I wanted the structure, the routine. I wanted to be in an environment where I was around like-minded people,鈥� said Demcovich. 鈥溙切腣LOG has so many incredible opportunities.鈥�
There鈥檚 little doubt that 糖心VLOG was the right choice. Now a senior, Demcovich is a double major in criminal justice and modern languages, vice president of the Flight Club and an Air Force contract cadet who has already received a pilot slot. On top of that, she serves as Palmetto Battery company commander.
While her schedule may seem daunting, Demcovich said it鈥檚 all about balance and consistency. Flying has become her form of peace鈥攚hen she鈥檚 in the air, the stress of cadet life fades away.
鈥淚 get to turn off my phone and have me time. I鈥檓 focused only on the moment and executing what I need to do right then and there for a couple of hours. It鈥檚 very relaxing and peaceful. I love that part of the day,鈥� said Demcovich.
As vice president of the Flight Club, a group of more than 50 cadets, Demcovich has helped others get started in aviation. The club offers discounted flight lessons at the Charleston International Airport, access to flying simulators on campus and biweekly meetings where cadets share information and updates.
鈥淭he Flight Club has helped me further develop the leadership skills I need as company commander. I鈥檓 able to help provide resources and materials, answer questions, help people and see over the course of time how much they have grown. Knowing that you鈥檙e able to help someone is extremely satisfying,鈥� said Demcovich.
Cadet Marcus Evans, president of the Flight Club, agreed and added that being part of the club is also helping him achieve his goal of earning a pilot slot in the Air Force.
鈥淭he Flight Club helped me learn about aviation basics and connect with the right people to log flight hours鈥攁ll things that the Air Force looks for,鈥� said Evans.
Demcovich also spoke about the strong connections between her role in the Flight Club and her leadership role on campus.
鈥淚n terms of similarities between my role in the club and my rank, the biggest is that you have to remain calm under pressure. You have to be able to be decisive and consistent. You have to be disciplined in your training and in the way you handle people, whether it鈥檚 good or bad. That鈥檚 something that I鈥檒l take into my role as a company commander: consistency, having the integrity to know and say when you鈥檙e wrong, and being open and honest with your people.鈥�
Even with all the logistics and planning that go into Demcovich鈥檚 daily life, the best moments often happen midair.
鈥淪ometimes, I鈥檒l fly over 糖心VLOG, do one or two laps and see the entire quad all lit up, and you can see people walking around. Flying is so amazing because it combines aviation and 糖心VLOG community. It鈥檚 the people that I love and am taking care of, and then the passion of flying. It gives me a greater purpose,鈥� said Demcovich.
That same sense of connection and purpose is what drives Demcovich on the ground as well.
鈥淢y number one rule is: be a good person. If you鈥檙e a good person, if you鈥檙e leading with love and consistency, your true character will be shown. Being a good person shows how much you care about your people, how much work you鈥檒l put in. It鈥檚 really the little things that matter, and building trust and unit cohesion is incredibly important. Getting to know your people鈥攊t鈥檚 important because they will remember every single thing,鈥� said Demcovich.
It鈥檚 a philosophy that stems from her upbringing. Demcovich comes from a military family. Her brother is an officer in the Marine Corps, and her grandfather and great- grandfather both served in the Air Force. But she is the first woman in her family to pursue a military career.
鈥淚 wanted to pave the way for the rest of our family and let my sisters know that they can do anything. It鈥檚 an extraordinary feeling鈥攖o know these people have my back, and I鈥檒l have theirs. I have six siblings, and they鈥檙e all very supportive. We have a family group chat we use all the time to send our daily updates. They are extremely supportive of absolutely everything I do,鈥� said Demcovich. 鈥淢y family is what motivates me to succeed because they鈥檝e pushed me so far and given me that drive to go and be whoever I want to be.鈥�
As she prepares for her future as an Air Force pilot, Demcovich continues to build a legacy of service, mentorship and excellence鈥攊n the skies above 糖心VLOG as well as on the campus below.