Cadet Clayton Reich ’26 Earns Air Force JROTC Solo Flight Wings

A high school senior from Phoenix, AZ, Cadet Clayton Reich ’26 has been awarded the Air Force JROTC Solo Flight Wings after successfully completing a series of aviation training milestones, all while maintaining his academic, athletic, and leadership responsibilities at Missouri Military Academy.

At the Valentine Review on Feb. 14, 2026, Reich received his Solo Flight Wings from Rob A. Benefield, instructor with Jefferson City Flying Service, recognizing his dedication, discipline, and technical achievement in the cockpit.

Cadet Clayton Reich ’26 receives his Air Force JROTC Solo Flight Wings at the Valentine Review.

To earn this distinction, Reich:

• Passed the Ground School Course
• Passed the Pre-Solo Written Exam
• Completed 3.1 hours of night flight time, including flight operations in St. Louis airspace
• Logged 3.2 hours of simulated instrument training
• Completed a daytime cross-country flight to Illinois
• Successfully completed a solo flight with two landings

Cadet Clayton Reich ’26 marks his first solo flight as part of his aviation training.

Reich developed an independent study program that enables him to complete flight training while meeting his academic, athletic, and leadership responsibilities at MMA. Under Benefield’s instruction at Mexico Memorial Airport, he trains in a Piper Warrior II aircraft as he works toward earning his private pilot’s license.

Reich aspires to attend the United States Air Force Academy and pursue a career as a military pilot.

Through discipline and initiative, Cadet Reich is taking command of his future, one flight at a time.

Cadet Clayton Reich ’26 in the cockpit during flight training at Mexico Memorial Airport.