ABOUT US
AFJROTC
Air Force JROTC provides leadership training and an aerospace science program for high school students. Secondary school students who enroll in the AFJROTC program are offered a wide variety of curricular and extra-curricular activities. The program explores the historical and scientific aspects of aerospace technology and teaches high school students self-reliance, self-discipline, and other characteristics found in good leaders. The AFJROTC program is open to 9th-12th grade students. The program is not a recruiting tool for military services, and those students who participate in AFJROTC do not incur any obligation to the Air Force.
Instill values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment.
AFJROTC Director Lt Col Matthew E. Tipton
The program is mandated to sustain 870 Air Force Junior ROTC units in high schools worldwide. There are approximately 85,000 high school cadets in the program and nearly 1,600 retired USAF instructors who lead, mentor, guide, and teach our cadets in high schools in the U.S. and around the world. Air Force Junior ROTC enjoys overwhelming school administration and community support because of the huge positive impact on cadets, schools, communities, and our nation.
Develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community
OUR CORPS
CORE VALUES
Air Force JROTC is a life-changing program that helps unlock every cadet's full potential to become the best version of themselves. Through our supportive and inclusive environment, cadets grow and celebrate their successes along the way. We are committed to providing the future world with successful leaders by helping our cadets reach their goals. The three Air Force core values serve as the moral compass in our program, directing our cadets toward a path brightened with promise and opportunity.
INTEGRITY FIRST
Integrity is a foundational character trait that is instilled in every generation of our cadets, guiding them to uphold moral principles, demonstrate honesty, and maintain accountability.
SERVICE BEFORE SELF
Service goes beyond individual goals, requiring personal sacrifices, selflessness, and dedication as every cadet's commitment plays a crucial role in the success and effectiveness of our program. Our cadets dedicate themselves to our unit, community, and nation.
EXCELLENCE IN ALL WE DO
A mindset of excellence pushes cadets to achieve greater accomplishments and create meaningful impacts in our community and nation. Our cadets strive for the best in academics, fitness, leadership, and all other aspects of our program, allowing them to exemplify this key value.
OUR INSTRUCTORS
Lt Col Darren James, (Ret) USAF
Lieutenant Colonel James retired from the Air Force in October 2020 after 27.5 years of service. His Air Force duties culminated at the Pentagon, Washington D.C., serving as the Deputy Chief, Accessions and Training Division. He led a team of 13 military and civilian personnel in developing and implementing DoDI’s, Law and Air Force Policy affecting 550 thousand Active Duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel. He was responsible for overseeing program execution of $3.4 Billion dollars for all officer and enlisted accessions, recruiting and retraining and commissioning programs for assets to join the United States Air Force and United States Space Force.
Lieutenant Colonel James is a native of Hornell, NY. He joined the Air Force in 1993 and received his commission in 2002 through Officer Training School. He and his family served at 11 different permanent duty assignments. He is married to Karen M. James and has three children, Vanessa, Zachary, and Caleb, and has 5 grandchildren.
He started teaching in July 2020 and teaches Aerospace Science while partnering with SMSgt Lewis on Leadership Education, health and wellness/physical training (PT) to all grade levels of the JROTC program.
SMSgt Larry "L3" Lewis, (Ret) USAF
SMSgt Lewis retired from the Air Force in 2013 after 26 years of service. His Air Force duties included 6 years as a Transportation specialist and 20 years as a Boom Operator flying on the KC-135R/T Tanker. Of his 26 years, 16 years were spent serving overseas. He and his family served on 6 different permanent duty assignments, including North Carolina, Germany, Washington, Japan, England, and Texas. He also served in many deployed locations.
This will be SMSgt Lewis' 10th year at Wylie High School. He teaches Leadership Education to all grade levels, making up 40% of the JROTC curriculum. Curriculum rotates annually for ROTC I, II, III, and IV. Aerospace Science makes up 40% of the JROTC curriculum and the final 20% consists of health and wellness/physical training (PT). SMSgt Lewis is married to the former Ms. Heidi Newton. They have two beautiful children, Ashley and Peyton, as well as four grandsons - Mason, Maddox, Greyson, and Sawyer.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is AFJROTC? Is it hard?
JROTC stands for Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps.
A character development program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces to further allows high schoolers or some middle schoolers to develop their citizenship, leadership, communication, collaboration, time-management, and many more essential skills.
Even though we have Physical Training, it's NOT hard at all and was designed to strengthen your fitness from the level that best fits you.
What are the benefits of AFJROTC?
It is inexpensive.
Uniforms are provided free of charge.
Most activities are subsidized by the Air Force and/or booster club.
JROTC instills discipline, structure, pride and a sense of accomplishment.
JROTC also offers a place to “belong” and a place to make life-long friends.
Can I take AFJROTC and ______?
Yes! Multiple cadets take both JROTC, Band, or other programs within the same school year, and they still can make outstanding accomplishments.
Please inform an instructor if you are going to be absent from one of our events for a different organization.
What type of course credit will I receive from taking JROTC?
JROTC counts as a PE credit for your first year.
JROTC counts as an elective credit each year after that.
Do I Have To Join The Military If I Take AFJROTC?
There is absolutely NO military obligation for cadets. Cadets are NOT required to join the military. However, cadets do receive advanced placement in the military if they decide to join a branch of service.
What College Opportunities Will I Have After Taking AFJROTC?
Historically, JROTC cadets have about a 25% better chance of receiving a college ROTC scholarship than the general population.
Cadets may receive up to two semesters of college ROTC credit for high school JROTC.
JROTC cadets are very competitive for service academy appointments.
Does AFJROTC Take Any Major Field trips during The School Year?
We typically take 2-3 major field trips per year.
Trips to Air Force bases and Army forts.
Trips to Galveston, Houston, and San Antonio.
Group Dynamix, ropes course, and team building events.
What Other Activities Are Involved in AFJROTC?
Competitive drill teams (3-5 competitions per year).
AHMO squad during school sporting events, where cadets get to hype the players and the crowd and run flags to show off our win.
Leadership opportunities.
Summer leadership courses .
What Is The Story of AHMO & The Meanings Behind It?
For Wylie High School:
It's a powerful chant that started back in 1977 because of a joke on a TV Show and it has been known to "strike terror into the hearts of Pirate opponents."
For AFJROTC TX-200010:
We used the acronym AHMO for Aim High March On, which represents the connection between the Air Force and our program.
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