Lance Kreitzer’s journey at the University culminated last month when he proudly graduated after five years of dedicated study.
The meteorology major and Air Force ROTC cadet expressed his excitement not only for his graduation but also for his upcoming commissioning ceremony on May 10.
Kreitzer, reflecting on his accomplishments, said, “I’m looking forward to graduating because it’s something I’ve been working toward for five years.”
He added, “I couldn’t be commissioned without earning my degree, but I’m looking forward to my commissioning more because I’ll be starting the career I’ve dreamed of having since middle school.”
With his commissioning, Kreitzer will embark on his first base assignment as a weather officer at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, starting in June.
After a lengthy 10-month wait for confirmation of his dream job in his desired location, Kreitzer’s anticipation is palpable.
Hailing from St. Petersburg, Florida, Kreitzer’s fascination with meteorology ignited at the tender age of 10, inspired by the reality television series “Hurricane Hunters.”
The show, produced by The Weather Channel, features an Air Force Reserve Squadron from Biloxi, Mississippi, conducting missions through hurricanes to collect critical meteorological data.
Kreitzer shared, “Watching the crew fly through hurricanes and remain cool as clams stuck out to me.
They did it to learn how to better protect people. I really wanted to do that.”
At 12, Kreitzer joined the Civil Air Patrol, the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, where he learned marching and other Air Force customs.
His nine years of volunteering with the Civil Air Patrol helped prepare him for the Air Force ROTC program at UM.
When it came time to select a college, Kreitzer focused on Florida schools offering both meteorology and Air Force ROTC programs, with the University of Miami and Florida State University as his top choices.
He explained that his family’s influence played a significant role in his decision, saying, “UF and FSU are longtime rivals.
Many of my relatives went to UF, so their distaste for FSU helped sway my decision.”
A visit to the Coral Gables campus and the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science ultimately solidified his choice.
Kreitzer recalled, “Seeing how nice the facilities were and meeting staff who were excited about me joining the program sealed the deal for me.
Plus, it’s fitting that I’d be a Miami Hurricane since I was fascinated with hurricanes as a kid.”
Upon starting at UM in fall 2020, Kreitzer embarked on a journey as a double major in meteorology and marine science.
However, the transition from high school to college proved more challenging than he anticipated, and during his sophomore year, he made the difficult decision to drop his marine science major.
This change extended his time at UM to a fifth year, a move he later deemed worthwhile.
Kreitzer remarked, “That was really discouraging for me, but God always has a plan.
Looking back, I’m glad I stayed an extra year because this year I’ve grown the most as a person and leader.”
Throughout his time in ROTC, Kreitzer took on several leadership roles, including finance officer, weather officer, and wellness officer, culminating in his current position as flight commander for 10 cadets.
Balancing his ROTC responsibilities with academic commitments presented challenges, particularly as he committed to waking up at 4:30 a.m. twice a week for physical training.
Yet, Kreitzer cherished the opportunities to network with professionals in the field and explore the Air Force’s offerings.
He reflected on an exhilarating incentive flight out of Homestead Air Force Base, during which he observed jets performing aerial refueling from aboard a Boeing KC-135.
As Kreitzer looks back on his time at the University of Miami, he imparted wisdom to fellow cadets: “People ask, ‘how can you be an officer if you’re scared of things?’
Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”
He concluded, “There were times I thought I wouldn’t graduate. I was scared, but I kept going until the job was done, and now I crossed the finish line.”
image source from：https://themiamihurricane.com/2025/06/10/former-cane-rotc-member-lance-kreitzer-reflects-on-his-time-at-um/
