Do you want to become a better citizen and a leader -- confident, self-reliant and self disciplined? Then Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) is for you. Take our aerospace science program and explore the civilian, industrial, and military aspects of aerospace.
Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps is a continuing success story. From the mid-1960s to the present, and into the 21st century, our program has grown and touched the lives of thousands of America's students. The AFJROTC program positively influences our country by helping one student at a time. Our instructors, who retired as some of the Air Force's finest leaders, are helping to form tomorrow's nation by educating our proud and patriotic cadets -- tomorrow's leaders.
Career-minded high school students will learn about jobs in the Air Force that will open important opportunities for the future. High schools students who complete the aerospace science program in AFJROTC may be able to enter the military at pay grades higher than most enlistees. Also, you'll be prepared to work in an expanding technological world -- in the Air Force or as a civilian.
College-bound students can compete for Air Force Academy nominations or AFROTC scholarships, directly through their AFJROTC unit. Cadets can also receive credit for the first year of an Air Force ROTC four year college program -- plus, free uniforms, insignia and ROTC textbooks. They may also receive priority processing when entering the Air Force if they win the Congressman Herbert Advanced Placement Award.
Make your high school years more exciting and fun by enrolling in Air Force Junior ROTC. To be eligible for membership and continue in the AFJROTC program, a student must be:
Talk it over with your friends, parents, and school advisor. And see your aerospace science instructor for the latest information. Enroll now! The future is full of opportunity for young people who develop the education and skills required to succeed in the Aerospace Age.
The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program was founded in 1911 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, by Army Lieutenant Edgar R. Steevers. Lieutenant Steevers was assigned as an inspector-instructor of the organized military of Wyoming. During his assignment he envisioned a non-compulsory cadet corps comprising of high school students. His program was aimed toward making better citizens. He wanted to teach young men the advantages of having a strong body and mind, the value of self-control, and the importance of community service.
The National Defense Act of 1916 authorized a junior ROTC course for non-college military schools, high schools and other non-preparatory schools. The Army implemented JROTC in 1916. Public Law 88-647, commonly known as the ROTC Vitalization Act of 1964, directed the Secretaries of each military service to establish and maintain JROTC units for their respective services.
With a modest beginning of 20 units in 1966 (only 11 of the original 20 remain today), Air Force JROTC (AFJROTC) has grown to over 609 units throughout the world, with current enrollment of over 89,000 cadets. Though the original units were comprised of only men, the admission regulations changed in 1972 to allow women to join. By the end of that year, over 2,100 females were admitted as new cadets. Since then, the number of females has increased to over 39,000 -- a full 43 percent of the corps.
On 29 November 1973, the President signed Public Law 93-165, which stated that females could be counted for enrollment in JROTC. Prior to this law, women could participate in JROTC activities, but could not be counted toward enrollment quotas. Further, women were not issued uniforms, nor could they wear the Corps insignia or receive a Certificate of Completion.
p Even before females were fully admitted into the JROTC program, they were making history and contributing to their respective units. In fact, the first female pilot soloed in the AFJROTC program in 1972. That same year, the AFJROTC Directorate wrote, "The approval to enroll females as cadets in AFJROTC is indicative of the strong position the Air Force and the Department of Defense hold concerning equality for all their members." About the same time that females were being admitted to the Air Force Academy, several AFJROTC units were formally welcoming young women to their ranks. From the start, the Air Force has always championed the cause of educational equality for women. This proactive involvement in educational opportunities for young women continues from AFJROTC all the way into college and beyond.
Acts of bravery and heroism abound within the cadet corps. In the past, cadets have saved drowning victims, pulled victims from burning buildings, administered CPR and the Heimlich maneuver, and they have even recovered trapped victims from burning cars! In one instance, a young cadet leaped aboard a moving, driverless school bus, loaded with small children, and successfully prevented a disaster. AFJROTC cadets have saved many lives and their acts of bravery have been recognized with awards of valor. Additionally, many of these courageous cadets have received awards and recognition from their schools and from civic organizations.
The Air Force JROTC Scholarship program began in the mid-1980s. It provides an incentive for AFJROTC units to attract and retain students whose college academic specialties and demonstrated potential meet critical Air Force needs. Each unit may nominate at least one cadet annually to compete for 3- or 4-year scholarship through the AFROTC regular College Scholarship Program. Scholarships pay for most tuition costs, plus books and fees at more than 750 universities and colleges.
The Awareness Presentation Team (APT) is an academic endeavor designed to provide positive role models for elementary and middle school students. Initially implemented in 1990 to deliver an anti-drug message to younger students, it has expanded to cover topics such as peer pressure, conflict resolution, sexual issues, violence, and alcohol awareness. The team is usually composed of about 10 cadets who are selected by their instructor. Cadets research a subject, then prepare and deliver a presentation. Units with active programs make presentations to thousands of students annually and team members can qualify to wear the APT Badge on their AFJROTC uniform. AFJROTC also supports programs in the local communities such as the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) and the Red Ribbon campaign -- a program established in remembrance of federal agent, Enrique Camarena, who was killed in Mexico by drug traffickers.
In an effort to produce well-informed and helpful citizens, AFJROTC encourages its cadets to get involved in their local communities. This is one of the most interesting and fun aspects of the AFJROTC experience. The number, type and size of cadet community projects are limited only by their imagination. Units perform as a team as they coordinate everything from car washes to candy sales and canned-food drives. Some units may clean stadiums after football games and donate aluminum cans for community recycling programs. Any proceeds from these fund-raising activities benefit the respective units.
Many cadets also volunteer their time to support local non-profit events. Some of these organizations include the March of Dimes, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Adopt-a-Highway Program and the Special Olympics. Cadets have worked to clean and refurbish cemeteries, rebuild parks, sponsor little league teams and work with the visually and mentally impaired. One AFJROTC unit organized a volunteer team to help a paralyzed boy walk again by helping him with his physical therapy. Another unit worked with the Multiple Sclerosis Swimming Therapy Sessions and the Handicapped Bowling League. Yet another unit helped distribute clothing and food for homeless native Americans. Cadets routinely visit homes for the aged, hospitals, veterans groups and many other agencies to demonstrate their resolve to help their community and their country. Take a look at The Citizen, the AFJROTC Newsletter to see the projects cadets are involved in today.
The success and growth of the AFJROTC program lies in the progressive and academically sound curriculum. Each year's Aerospace Science course work relates to a different theme. Aerospace Science I: Frontiers in Aviation History emphasizes the history of air power and national defense. Aerospace Science II: The Science of Flight acquaints the student with the aerospace environment, the human requirements of flight, and the principles of aircraft flight and navigation. Aerospace Science III: The Exploration of Space examines our solar system, explores current space technologies and contemplates the future of space and manned space flights. Aerospace Science IV teaches survival skills and map reading as well as basic first-aid skills.
The AFJROTC Leadership School is a "mini" Officer Training School run by AFJROTC instructors. The school, which only began as an experiment at the unit level in 1973, was highly successful and quickly spread to many other AFJROTC units. Drill and ceremonies, and Leadership make up about forty percent of the school's curriculum while aerospace science academics constitute the remainder. Leadership schools are held throughout the nation and include approximately 6,000 students annually.
Each year AFJROTC units sponsor national and international drill competitions. The drill team is a cohesive group that learns to work and perform maneuvers together. They must work as a team to compete against other drill teams to be the best. Drill helps each cadet realize the impact their personal actions can have on the group as a whole. It also teaches cadets to appreciate the need for discipline and allows them to understand the importance of following orders promptly and precisely. In Tx-66 the Male armed drill team is called the Raiders, and the female unarmed drill team is called the Blue Tops. There is also the Color Guard and the Honor Guard,or Saber Team.
The Kitty Hawk Air Society (KHAS) is the official Air Force JROTC honor society. The name Kitty Hawk Air Society was chosen for the organization because it relates to the beginning of aerospace activities just as AFJROTC relates to the beginning of a cadet's aviation career.
This cadet organization serves as a club within a high school's activities program, promoting academic excellence, service to the school and the community, and enhances self-confidence. Cadets who participate in KHAS learn to take initiative and develop their leadership abilities. They are also more likely to pursue their post-high school education and further their knowledge of the Air Force's role in aerospace education. In 1993, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps assumed responsibility for chartering Kitty Hawk Air Society chapters and for distributing Society materials. Over 150 AFJROTC units are charter members of Kitty Hawk Air Society.
To reinforce classroom learning, cadets participate in many extracurricular and social activities. A formal dinner allows cadets to develop close friendships and provides valuable exposure to Air Force customs and traditions. Field trips to military bases, aerospace facilities, museums, aerospace industries, civilian airports, summer leadership schools and officer training schools, play a vital role in providing cadets with a well-rounded experience. Cadets can also benefit from participation in activities such as drill teams, honor guards, military balls, newspaper staff, and academic groups. These activities motivate cadets, provide leadership training, reinforce the formal curriculum, and enhance the overall cadet learning experience.
Other hands-on learning programs help cadets learn about aviation. For example, the model rocketry and airplane programs are designed to acquaint AFJROTC cadets with the basics of flight and rocketry. Programs like these serve to increase the cadets' knowledge of aerospace sciences and motivate them to attain an even greater knowledge of aerospace science.
The success of AFJROTC would not be possible without the dedication of its Aerospace Science Instructors. Officer Instructors are retired officers with at least a bachelor's degree and a minimum of 15 years on active duty. Almost 90 percent of them have master's degrees with backgrounds in teaching and experience working with youth groups. Enlisted Instructors are retired non-commissioned officers (NCOs) with a minimum of 15 years on active duty. Presently, 27 percent of this group have bachelors degrees and 14 percent masters degrees. Most of them have experience in the supply, administration, drill and ceremony, teaching, and youth group activities.
All AFJROTC instructors are deeply involved in community relations. They teach aerospace science and leadership education curricula. They also serve as liaisons between the Air Force and civilian agencies in the aerospace field, and perform career and performance counseling for AFJROTC cadets. They help plan and support activities like military balls, cadet competitions, cadet newspaper production, military ceremonies and charitable activities. They provide instruction in drill and ceremonies and in the principles of leadership and management. In short, the instructors devote themselves to the cadets in the classroom and during extensive extracurricular activities. Their hard work and devotion have resulted in an AFJROTC program which is highly acclaimed on local and national levels.