ACADEMICS - Various lessons taught by our Aerospace Instructor and Senior Aerospace Instructor. Topics that have been covered include but are not limited to aerodynamics, first aid, and etiquette. 

DRILL - Cadet practice various military drill movements, both stationary drill and marching in formation. As well as practicing for various corps procedures. 

UNIFORM & INSPECTION - Cadets will attend school wearing the uniform issued to them and permitted to wear for that day. During ROTC, all cadets will be inspected in formation on their uniform and knowledge. 

KNOWLEDGE - Cadets must study various categories of various degrees of difficulty for promotion, inspection, and graded tests. Topics include In-Corps Chain of Command (Student Leadership), Out-of-Corps Chain of Command (Civilian and Military National Government), Uniform Regulations, and Cadet Guide. 

PT - ROTC's version of PE. Some cadets may chose to do an alternative version of PT in Raiders or CFA. Raiders is their own team that practice strenuous events for competition. While CFA (Cadet Fitness Assessment) complete the many events of the Physical Assessments required for applying to Flight Academy, ROTC College Scholarships, and the Military Academies. 

Teams - Exclusive to the afterschool session of ROTC, cadets are separated into four teams: Unarmed Drill, Color Guard, Rifle, and Sabre/Sword. 

For AOC, CHS, SHS, and WRHS, ROTC starts at 13:30 or 1:30 PM and ends at 16:00 or 4:00 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Friday, ROTC starts at 14:00 or 2:00 PM and ends at 17:00 or 5:00 PM. 

ABOUT

• What is JROTC? The mission of AFJROTC is to build citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community. JROTC is a cadet-run program with guidance and mentorship from our instructors. We also learn about military tradition, aviation history, aerospace science, geography, space, communication, finance and college planning. JROTC fulfills either an elective or physical education requirement depending on grade level.

• Do I have to join the military? No! JROTC is not a recruitment program, and there is no commitment to join to the military. Similarly, JROTC is not only for those interested in joining the military! Many cadets join JROTC to improve personal skills and contribute to their communities, regardless of their future aspirations.

• What do you do in JROTC? Uniform wear, drill and academics are key aspects of the class period. Cadets can have a job in the corps, run an event, perform color guard duties as well as drill and academics.

• Do we have to wear the uniform? Yes, you wear the blue uniform that is very similar to the active duty Air Force every Wednesday. You wear physical training gear on Friday. If a cadet happens to be absent on Uniform Day, then the cadet would wear the blue uniform on the following academic day. 

• How do I know what to wear for the uniform? Top 3, squadron commanders, and flight commanders will announce the uniform wear for the upcoming Monday. Cadet guides will be distributed to new cadets; they include instructions such as how to properly wear the different uniforms.

• Do I have to cut my hair? Hair standards for male and female cadets follow active duty Air Force standards concerning bulk and length.  Please reference General Order No. 3 in our Cadet Guide for specifics.  Male hair cannot be more than 1 1/4 inches in bulk and cannot touch the ears. Female hair must be pulled up, no more than 3 1/2 inches in bulk. If you have short hair, it cannot go below the collar of the uniform shirt.

• How is Physical Training (PT) in JROTC? PT is every Friday, and is done by every class. Depending on your fitness level, it can be challenging or easy. Either way, it is very rewarding and fun!

• Are there any additional costs involved in AFJROTC? The Air Force furnishes the uniform and all training materials. You will be responsible for keeping the uniform items cleaned or laundered as applicable.

• Is JROTC like a Boot Camp? No! One of the most common misconceptions about AFJROTC is that it is similar to a military boot camp. However, while JROTC does emphasize discipline and respect, its approach is educational rather than punitive. The point of the program is not to enforce strict discipline, but to instill self-discipline and leadership in our cadets.

ACTIVITIES

• What activities are done outside of class? We have eight teams in AFJROTC: Color Guard, Rifle Team, Sword Team, Drill Team, JLAB, CyberPatriot, StellarXplorers, and Kitty Hawk Air Society. To explore the different teams, please check out the Team tab on our website. We also have lots of fun AFJROTC events occurring throughout the year that cadets can participate in.

• Will JROTC interfere with other afterschool activities? While it is difficult to be on some of the JROTC teams because sometimes practices are after school, many cadets are able to balance other commitments including sports with JROTC. Ask around and see what cadets say!

PROGRAM BENEFITS

• If I join AFJROTC, will I receive credit? Full academic credit is offered for each year of the program.  Further, each year in AFJROTC can substitute for a year in physical education if you need it to.

• Can I get military credit for completing the AFJROTC Program? Yes! All branches of the service recognize the AFJROTC three year certificate for increased rank when enlisting and some recognize the two year certificate.

• Will I get awards, ribbons, or promotions? Yes, almost all cadets get promoted and receive ribbons by just going through the class alone. Although the more extracurricular activities you do the more achievements you receive.

• Do I have to take all four years? No, but staying in JROTC is an amazing experience. Just ask any fourth-year cadet!

• Will joining AFJROTC help me with getting into a United States Service Academy? Absolutely! The principals of schools with “distinguished” AFJROTC units are allowed to directly nominate qualified students to compete for an appointment to one of the service academies. The present cost of an Air Force Academy education is over $300,000.

• What are the benefits of the AFJROTC course? There are hundreds of scholarships reserved for AFJROTC cadets. Scholarships pay for all or most tuition costs for up to four years, plus books and fees at more than 900 colleges and universities. Air Force Junior ROTC offers scholarships in engineering, science and some non-technical majors. Plus, AFJROTC cadets may compete for Air Force ROTC scholarships open to all high school students. Students who complete three years of AFJROTC, and then go on to ROTC at the college level,   receive credit for and are excused from the first year of the ROTC four-year college program. Students who complete three years of AFJROTC, and then enlist in the armed forces, will received advanced promotion to E3 upon completion of Air Force, Army or Navy basic training.  This places them well ahead of their non-AFJROTC peers in pay and status.  Advance promotion to E2 is regularly permitted by the Marine Corps and occasionally E3.

• What does Air Force ROTC offer that would be of interest to at-risk youth? Air Force Junior ROTC offers positive role models, a place to belong, excel, and be rewarded.  Cadets have a positive educational experience in which they are encouraged to graduate and pursue higher education opportunities. Additionally, Air Force Junior ROTC stresses and teaches the values of citizenship, self-esteem, and self respect, service to the community, pride in belonging, self-discipline, and personal, family and social responsibility. A strong anti-drug message is part of the program. As mentioned above, Junior ROTC provides post-high school opportunities in the way of enlistment, with advanced rank and college scholarship opportunities.

• What are some ways that AFJROTC prepares you for the future? AFJROTC builds strong leaders, instills confidence, and shapes cadets into model citizens. This class teaches very important skills that will be necessary for the future such as accountability, teamwork, resilience, and discipline among other things. Leadership is a large part of the class. Cadets in the class have the opportunity to apply for various “jobs” in the program. These jobs include Squadron Commander, Director of Support, Director of Operations, Logistics Officer, Finance Officer, Education Officer, and many others. These jobs are genuinely important to the structure of the corps, and are a good way to prepare students for their future careers. For example, the Logistics Officer is in charge of many other cadets who, together, watch over $60,000 worth of equipment and uniforms.

• Is it an honor to be a part of AFJROTC? It is! Being an AFJROTC cadet enables students to receive a sense of purpose, opportunities for personal and professional growth, character development, and integrity. It is amazing to see how much of an impact cadets can make by being in this class. Our corps takes part in many community service events, allowing our cadets to develop important life skills while making a profound impact in their community.

INSTRUCTORS

• What are the instructors like? While the instructors have high standards, they are kind, caring, and available to assist whenever asked. 

• What do the instructors teach Air Force Junior ROTC students? The Air Force Junior ROTC curriculum is a balance of 40% aerospace science, 40% leadership education, and 20% physical education.  In the classroom, cadets study and discuss the heritage of flight and navigation, aerospace vehicles, rocketry, propulsion, space travel, and aviation careers.  JROTC has always emphasized public speaking skills as critical to standing out as a great leader.  Therefore, our cadets spend significant time educating their classmates with PowerPoint.  They are also introduced to military customs and courtesies, flag etiquette, basic drill, management, human relations and communications skills in our leadership program.