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Dublin High senior AFJROTC cadet returns home from Singapore

Evelyn Inman was the only cadet from Georgia to attend the International Cadet Exchange Program in Singapore.

Evelyn Inman said she first joined AFJROTC because she liked the way the uniforms looked. She never thought it would give her the chance to travel out of the country.

"I was going to wear my hair down, you know my hair is up. I was going to wear flip-flops, my shirt un-tucked. I dreamed about doing what I wanted to do in that blue uniform," Inman said.

She reflects back on her first experience in Dublin High School's AFJROTC program her freshman year. Now, as a senior, she says it's taught her major life skills.

"I actually learned how to work with the chain of command. I learned how to talk to people. I actually just learned how to be a leader overall," Inman said.

Her hard work stood out. Inman was chosen to attend the International Cadet Exchange Program in Singapore. She was the only one in the state of Georgia.

"When I found out I got selected, I started crying. I was actually proud, because I knew that I was being recognized for the work that I put into this program," Inman said.

When she told her parents -- her own father is a veteran -- he didn't want her to go.

"At first I didn't want her to go overseas, because I've been overseas several times, and I've had a bad experience myself, but once I knew there was a group going, I was more comfortable with it," he said.

In Singapore, Inman says there were cadets from six different countries.

She was one of the 12 Americans on the trip. They did drill training, outdoor sporting activities, and explored the country. She says it was a life-changing experience.

"It was very peaceful. Everyone you walked by spoke [to you]. It was like being home but not home. I missed Singapore actually when I got back. I'm ready to go back," she said.

Inman says she plans to attend Valdosta State University and participate in its ROTC program.

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