Class Syllabus

AFJROTC Syllabus for School Year 2025-2026

AEROSPACE SCIENCE

AND

LEADERSHIP EDUCATION

INSTRUCTORS Captain Scott Thomas                                                                                    

                       CMSgt Jeffrey Wepner

I.  GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION/OBJECTIVES

JROTC is a course designed to teach Aerospace Science topics, Leadership Education and Wellness to all cadets. This is accomplished by dividing the days of instruction according to the course material. Students will receive certain academic days of just Aerospace Science and Leadership Education throughout the week. On Wednesday’s cadets will always receive Leadership Education to include uniform inspections.  Friday’s are the Wellness/Physical Training days. The academic course material is rotated each year in JROTC so that cadets never receive the same instruction while participating in JROTC during a 4 year cycle. The following material will be taught this school year:

A.  AS 300: Exploring Space: The High Frontier

This course provides students with the latest information on exploring space and an introduction to cybersecurity and technology. The textbook will begin with early astronomy and the basic interest in the universe from the Greeks through the Renaissance and Enlightenment ages. Students will be provided an in-depth view of the solar system, including Earth, the Sun, the Moon, and planets. The text also discusses the history of space travel and more modern space probes and robotics. Students will examine the effects of space on the human body. The text also investigates the history of rockets, launch vehicles, and the coordinated systems required for a successful launch into space. Finally, the text will offer a cybersecurity chapter that outlines the importance of cybersecurity in space and in daily life.

Note: All cadets will build a model rocket and launch them during the school year as a class project. They will compete against their other classmates in flight duration (longest to stay in the air) and “spot-landing” accuracy.

Cadets interested in cyber security may join the CyberPatriot Team as part of JROTC.

Course Outcomes:

1. Explain the history of astronomy throughout time.

2. Analyze the various elements of the solar system.

3. Investigate the components of space exploration and the current strategic plan for space exploration.

4. Analyze past space programs and the effect of space on the human body.

5. Examine the history of space exploration and the future of space travel.

6. Discuss the role of space probes and robotics in space exploration.

7. Evaluate the science and technology required for space travel.

8. Analyze the concept of cyber security and methods for staying safe online.

B.   LE-100: Traditions, Wellness, and Foundations of Citizenship (Chapter 1: Lessons 1-4 Only). LE 100 is the beginning component of JROTC leadership education. It is intended for students who are entering the AFJROTC program and beginning their high school studies. It will introduce cadets to history, organization, mission, traditions, goals, and objectives of JROTC for all services. It introduces key military customs and courtesies, how to project a positive attitude,

and examine the principles of ethical and moral behavior.

Note:  LE-100 (Chapter 1) is for 1st year Cadets only.  This introduction is taught first during the Fall Semester to 1st year cadets only.  It will cover 4 hours of basic instruction. All other cadets will assist and lead the instruction of the LE100 course material.  The remaining part of the Fall Semester and all of the Spring Semester will consist of LE 400.

Course Objectives: 

1. Analyze the heritage, organization, and tradition of service programs.

C. LE 400: Fundamentals of Management:  This course studies Management, Project Development, Planning, Decision Making, Organizing, Leading, Understanding Work teams, and Interpersonal Skills.  All items that are required to develop and lead a cadet corps.  A summary of the areas are as follows: What is Management introduces management and its application to JROTC. It defines what management is and what managers do. It provides an overview for managing a JROTC unit—including its various activities, systems, and technology, and learning to manage yourself as you help manage the unit. Project Management discusses in detail the elements of managing a project from start to finish. It defines what a project is and looks at what is involved in initiating and planning a project. Planning: Laying the Foundation looks at the reasons to plan, the types of plans organizations use, and the types of goals organizations set. A discussion of how to prevent over planning follows, along with a review of the uncertainty factors in planning and the kinds of events an organization must prepare for.  Decision-Making: Choosing Wisely reviews the steps of the decision-making process, the differences between rational and intuitive decision-making styles, and the benefits and pitfalls of decision-making shortcuts.  Organizing: Managing Time and Change considers the importance of managing your time, being effective and not just busy, time-management tools, and daily and weekly schedules. It then discusses the causes of change in an organization and how a manager deals with change, two ways of looking at the change process, and how to handle resistance to change. Leading: Managing Individual and Group Behavior deals with theories of motivation, the challenges of managing a diverse cadet unit, and how learning styles affect motivation. A discussion of the evaluation process follows, including how your perceptions influence your judgment of others, how to constructively evaluate subordinates, and the process of delivering a written evaluation. Understanding Work Teams discusses how work groups develop, the differences between work groups and work teams, the types and characteristics of effective work teams, and how to build an effective work team. Interpersonal Skills focuses on delegating, negotiating, and mentoring. The chapter reviews what it means to delegate, the steps to delegating effectively, and challenges to delegating. It moves on to a discussion of what managers must negotiate, the two types of negotiation, and how to negotiate.

Course Outcomes:

1. Analyze management and its application to JROTC.

2. Analyze the elements of project management.

3. Evaluate the importance of formal planning within an organization.

4. Analyze decision-making within an organization.

5. Evaluate time management and change management within an organization.

6. Analyze concerns managers must consider in managing individuals and groups.

7. Analyze the factors that make work teams productive.

8. Evaluate the interpersonal skills of delegating, negotiating, and mentoring.

D.  Drill and Ceremonies (Cumulative for all Cadets) The Drill and Ceremonies manual is used to teach the Drill Curriculum (Cumulative) course by providing an in-depth introduction to drill and ceremonies. The course concentrates on the elements of military drill, and describes individual and group precision movements, procedures for saluting, drill, ceremonies, reviews, parades, and development of the command voice. Cadets are provided detailed instruction on ceremonial performances and protocol for civilian and military events and have the opportunity to personally learn drill.

Though each class will follow an established lesson plan, most of the work is to be hands-on. AFM 36-2203 is used to teach the Drill and Ceremonies course and the current version may be downloaded from Air Force e-pubs. In addition, the Army Field Manual 3-21.5 and the Interservice Cross-Index Drill Manual is used to supplement the teaching of Drill and Ceremonies.

The course objectives are:

After successfully completing AFM 36-2203: Personnel Drill and Ceremonies, the student will:

1. Know the importance of drill and ceremonies.

2. Know basic commands and characteristics of the command voice.

3. Apply and execute the concepts and principles of basic drill positions and movements.

4. Know when and how to salute.

5. Apply the principles and procedures of drill movements used with smaller units to the movement of a squadron.

6. Know the function of the group and the wing.

7. Know how groups and wings are formed.

8. Know the purpose and definition of ceremonies and parades.

Textbook:  AFP 34-1203:  Drill and Ceremonies

D .  Wellness Program:  Wellness is an official and integral part of the Air Force Junior ROTC program. It consists of exercise programs focused upon individual base line improvements with the goal of achieving a national standard as calculated by age and gender. The Wellness curriculum is instrumental in developing citizens of character dedicated to serving our nation and communities. The program is provided as a tool to help you develop individualized training programs. Cadets will be given the opportunity to put into practice the wellness concepts that are taught in Leadership Education 100. Instructors are free to include other activities cadets enjoy such as team sports in order to keep the Wellness Program fun and motivating. The Wellness Program also provides a list of exercises with examples that may be utilized in a 36-week program modifiable to meet individual and district/state goals.  Students will participate in the USAF Fitness Program and take the 3-event test within 45 days of school starting and within 30 days of school ending so they may gauge their progress and qualify for a fitness award.

Course Objectives: Motivate cadets to lead active, healthy lifestyles beyond program requirements and into adulthood.

Goals: (1) Create individualized training program based on national standards by age and gender.  (2) Identity areas of improvements for each cadet. (3) Incorporate physical training program to reach goals.

The exercises are:

·   V-Sit Reach                                            ● Lunges  

·       Bent-Knee Push-ups                                ● Arm Extended Lunges

·       Feet Elevated Push-ups                    ●      Reverse Extended Lunges

·       Push-ups                                     ● Mountain Climbers

·   Plank                                                      ● Squats

·       Left Arm and Right Arm Planks           ●      Body Builders

·       Sit-Ups                                                   ● Squat Leaps

·       Extended Side Push-ups                       ●      Side Lateral Jumps

·       Flutter Kicks                                        ●      One-Mile Run

     A typical exercise class may go as follows:

·       Warm-up/Stretch

·       Pick 6 or more exercises to perform depending on time

·       Ensure proper form and technique

·       Students will strive to complete the number of repetitions indicated on their personal workout plan

·       Cool down/Stretch

II.  TECHNIQUES AND METHODS OF INSTRUCTION

-        Lecture/Discussion                      - Practical exercises

-        Guided discussion                       - Text assignments

-        Oral/written presentations            - Uniform Inspections

-        Audiovisual/Computer materials

III.  STUDENT EXPECTATIONS AND CONDUCT:

-        In addition to the rules of Wayne and South Side High School, each student is expected to follow the guidelines in the IN-941 AFJROTC Cadet Guide.  Each cadet has access to the Cadet Guide which may be printed or accessed electronically at the Corps Web Site and in the student’s assigned Schoology Course. 

-        Attend class on time, daily, and know that all students can learn and grow in our class.

-        Students are expected to come to class with all course materials (Cadet Guide), paper, and writing tools.

-        Wear the designated applicable uniform when required by the instructors.

IV.  EVALUATION:  Aerospace Science and Leadership Education encompasses up to 80 percent of the total classroom instruction time and the Wellness Curriculum is 20 percent. 

Grading                                                                      Percent Required

  A                                                                                     100 - 90

  B                                                                                   89 - 80

  C                                                                                           79 - 70

  D                                                                                           69 - 60

           F                                                                                           59 and Below

Grade Distribution:  Formative evaluations are 20% and Summative are 80% of the overall semester grade.

Grade Distribution                                                  Grading Category

Homework/Quiz/Daily Practice                                      Formative                       

Physical Fitness/Wellness                                              Formative & Summative      

Uniform Inspection                                                       Formative & Summative      

      Exams/Projects                                                             Summative

Uniform Inspections

1.  Wear of the AFJROTC Cadet Uniform is MANDATORY once a week to all classes each Wednesday.  Cadets wear the uniform in a respectful manner to all classes on uniform wear day.  This is a graded event each week.  Guidelines for the wear of the uniform can be found in the IN-941 AFJROTC Cadet Guide and AFI 36-2903.  If for any reason cadets are not in uniform on any given Wednesday they are expected to still meet all grooming standards.  Cadets who fail to meet the standards jeopardize their ability to remain within the course.  NOTE:  1st year cadets who opt out of the uniform wear and grooming standards must still wear the designated JROTC spirit shirt/sweatshirt on Wednesday and must still dress out for PT on Fridays using the issued USAF PT Uniform.

2. Weekly uniform inspections will be conducted with 100 points possible for each inspection.  Inspections are conducted using the standards listed in AFI 36-2903, Cadet Guide- Chapter 5, AFROTCI 36-2010, and the AFJROTC Operational Supplement, Chapter 7.  All uniform discrepancies are annotated on the Cadet Inspection Checklist.

V.  Course Late Work/Redo Procedures:  Students may redo test/assessment and daily performance grade/assignment during the unit of study in the grading period.  Students who elect to accomplish a test/assessment redo must meet with an instructor before taking the test or assessment again.  All students at Wayne High School are expected to complete in class and outside of class assignments completely and on time to a level of mastery.

Students who submit assignments after the due date can expect:

●  a grade reduction for all assignments submitted each day it is past the due date.

●  After exceeding the allowable days, the student will receive a zero (0).

Assignments that are scheduled to be completed in class do not qualify for the Late Work Policy. The assignment is expected to be completed during the class time.

VI.  Course Drop Policy:  All students who enroll in AFJROTC will coordinate any requests to drop the course with either of the instructors prior to contacting their counselor.