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Student Spotlight: Francisco Melendez ’27 Takes Flight
The Skyhawk shares details of his experience completing a rigorous course offered by the United States Army’s Sabalauski Air Assault School.
Francisco Melendez ’27
The Stonehill College community is committed to helping Skyhawks soar. In the case of Francisco Melendez ’27, we mean that quite literally.
The criminology major from Lowell, Massachusetts, recently represented Stonehill’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at a program offered by the Sabalauski Air Assault School (TSAAS). The course in which Melendez participated during his time with the school is often nicknamed “The Ten Toughest Days in the Army.” As part of this intensive training, soldiers gain experience conducting airmobile and air assault operations.
Though TSAAS is run out of Fort Campbell, an Army post in Kentucky, Melendez completed coursework at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.
“It’s the same rigorous training as at Fort Campbell — run by certified instructors from the TSAAS — but it’s brought to the U.S. Military Academy so cadets from around the country can participate,” the student said. “I was fortunate to be surrounded by other top-performing cadets. It was an incredible leadership and learning experience.”
In the Q&A below, Melendez discusses his time with TSAAS, as well as the impact of his ROTC experience at Stonehill.
Soldiers from the Sabalauski Air Assault School rappelling from a UH-60 Black Hawk.
What did your experience with TSAAS entail?
My time at Air Assault School was intense, challenging, and incredibly rewarding. The course lasted 10 days, and every single one of them pushed me both physically and mentally. From day one, we were tested on our physical readiness with a timed two-mile run and a tough obstacle course just to qualify for the rest of the training. Throughout the course, we learned sling load operations, hand-and-arm signals, helicopter safety procedures, and how to rappel from a UH-60 Black Hawk. Every detail had to be precise. The final test was a 12-mile ruck march with full gear in under three hours — one of the toughest physical challenges I’ve completed. Earning my Air Assault wings at the end made every step worth it.
What’s next for you now that you’ve completed this course?
Right now, my focus is on continuing to develop as a leader and preparing for commissioning. I’m staying committed to my academic work, improving physically, and embracing every opportunity to grow within ROTC. I’m also starting to think more about branch selection and where I see myself best serving in the Army. In the short term, it’s about continuing to represent Stonehill ROTC with pride. Long term, I’m excited to lead soldiers and take on the responsibilities that come with being an officer in the United States Army.
How is your Stonehill experience preparing you for your future career in the military?
Stonehill has had a huge impact on me — not just academically, but in the way I think about service and leadership. Through ROTC, I’ve learned how to lead under pressure, stay accountable, and put the mission and my team first. But Stonehill has also given me a strong ethical foundation — the idea that leadership isn’t just about rank, it’s about character. Whether it’s in the classroom, on campus, or during field training, the community here has constantly pushed me to be better. I feel confident that the lessons and values I’ve learned at Stonehill will stay with me during my future career as an Army officer.