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What is the purpose of Air Force JROTC?
Cadets involved in the program are under no obligation to join the military. The main goal of the North Mecklenburg Air Force Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) program, is to encourage citizenship and character development of high school students through leadership training, physical activity, and participation in community service. It also encourages teamwork and discipline by having cadets wear a military uniform. AFJROTC works to establish the traits of respect, maturity, and open-mindedness in cadets as they become leaders within the real world. We uphold our core values of “integrity first, service before self, excellence in all we do”. In North Mecklenburg’s NC-045 unit, cadets learn aerospace science through traditional classroom instruction as well as hands on experience by taking trips to Airshows across the state, the Carolinas Aviation Museum, and others.
Cadets involved in the program are under no obligation to join the military. The main goal of the North Mecklenburg Air Force Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) program, is to encourage citizenship and character development of high school students through leadership training, physical activity, and participation in community service. It also encourages teamwork and discipline by having cadets wear a military uniform. AFJROTC works to establish the traits of respect, maturity, and open-mindedness in cadets as they become leaders within the real world. We uphold our core values of “integrity first, service before self, excellence in all we do”. In North Mecklenburg’s NC-045 unit, cadets learn aerospace science through traditional classroom instruction as well as hands on experience by taking trips to Airshows across the state, the Carolinas Aviation Museum, and others.
What is the history of the program?
The JROTC program was started in 1911 by Army Lieutenant Edgar R. Steevers in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The National Defense Act of 1916 allowed the program to be implemented in high schools, non-preparatory, and non-college military schools nationwide. Public Law 88-647, also known as the Reserve Officer Training Corps Vitalization Act of 1964 allowed secretaries from each military branch to maintain a JROTC program within public and private secondary schools. The Air Force JROTC program started with 20 units in 1966 and is now included in 900 schools internationally. Also, initially, males were only allowed in the program, but Public Law 93-165 allowed for the entrance of females by creating a minimum number of male cadets that could be enrolled. Today, female cadets make up 36% of the corps.
The JROTC program was started in 1911 by Army Lieutenant Edgar R. Steevers in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The National Defense Act of 1916 allowed the program to be implemented in high schools, non-preparatory, and non-college military schools nationwide. Public Law 88-647, also known as the Reserve Officer Training Corps Vitalization Act of 1964 allowed secretaries from each military branch to maintain a JROTC program within public and private secondary schools. The Air Force JROTC program started with 20 units in 1966 and is now included in 900 schools internationally. Also, initially, males were only allowed in the program, but Public Law 93-165 allowed for the entrance of females by creating a minimum number of male cadets that could be enrolled. Today, female cadets make up 36% of the corps.
The purpose of the JROTC program is to promote citizenship, leadership, physical fitness, and responsibility within their cadets. The program is very interactive and allows students to get involved within their unit and community by allowing them to venture outside of a traditional classroom learning environment. They are molded into purposeful young adults who are prepared to make significant changes in their own community as well as in the world once they graduate high school.
The purpose of the JROTC program is to promote citizenship, leadership, physical fitness, and responsibility within their cadets. The program is very interactive and allows students to get involved within their unit and community by allowing them to venture outside of a traditional classroom learning environment. They are molded into purposeful young adults who are prepared to make significant changes in their own community as well as in the world once they graduate high school.
How does the program work?
The JROTC program is open to all students in grades 9-12. A first year cadet is referred to as an AS-1, where the cadet is introduced to the aerospace science curriculum and are involved in PT (physical training). Cadets also learns the basic positions in the hierarchy of their particular unit; cadets are eligible to hold basic positions within their class. The student can also participate in their unit’s events, whether it is community service, helping out at a unit event, or attending many of the fun recreational activities in the corps. Participating in activities and events while demonstrating good conduct, cadets are eligible for promotions, ribbons and awards. This curriculum continues into the second year of their experience, when the cadet is considered an AS-II.
In the cadet’s third year, when they are an AS-III, cadets interview for staff positions. The staff is made up of higher level cadets and are in charge of coordinating all unit-related events, programs, and media while working closely with the JROTC instructors.
Sources:
"AFJROTC Heritage". Air University, 21 Sept. 2016, http://www.airuniversity.af.mil/Holm-Center/AFJROTC/Heritage/.
"Junior Reserves' Officer's Training Corps". CMS, http://www.cms.k12.nc.us/cmsdepartments/ci/jrotc/Pages/default.aspx
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