Chapter 8
Chapter 8
IN-20041 AFJROTC CLUBS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
8.1. Extracurricular Activities. There are several voluntary cadet extracurricular activities, which supplement aerospace or leadership experiences. Additionally, these activities bring cadets together with common interests, build esprit de corps, and are ways to create lasting friendships, and guarantee a good time to those who get involved. Involvement teaches responsibility, teamwork, and cooperation. It is also a positive, visible way to publicize to the community the values at work that we teach to our cadets. The SASI and/or ASI will monitor all activities and will serve as advisors. Additionally, active duty military and parents or guardians may help monitor and teach these activities. The following description of activities is not all-inclusive and may change depending on what activities cadets want to have and support.
8.2. Kitty Hawk Air Society. This AFJROTC Honor Society promotes academic excellence, service, and patriotism. An invitation to join will be extended only to cadets who have a "B" average in their AFJROTC courses and an overall "B" school average with no failing grades. Cadets will complete a pledge program to become a member. A distinctive badge will be awarded upon indoctrination into this elite IN-20041 AFJROTC society.
8.3. Honor Guard, Color Guard, Drill Team, and Rifle Team.
8.3.1. Honor Guard. The SASI and ASI will closely monitor the Commander's Honor Guard. The Cadet Deputy Commander will normally command this highly selective group that will perform at special military and civilian events. Individual's selected for this elite group must exhibit the highest standards of behavior and personal appearance and must possess a thorough knowledge of drill and ceremonies.
8.3.2. Color Guard. This elite cadet corps presents and posts the U.S. and school colors at school, Corps, and community functions. This cocurricular activity provides an opportunity for cadets to learn respect and properly present national and state flags. The Color Guard Commander will be a senior cadet selected by the SASI/ASI who has normally been on the team in the past and serves on the cadet staff as a senior commander. The Color Guard Commander will write an operating instruction describing color guard operation and membership to include practice times and distinctive uniform items which will be approved by the SASI/ASI.
8.3.3. Drill Team. Cadets who enjoy drill, "polish" their drill skills learned in the leadership laboratory and form a drill team that performs in local and area wide drill competitions and demonstrations. Drill practice will normally be three times a week immediately after school. Participation, like that for the Color Guard, requires an extra commitment from cadets since they will spend many hours learning the manual of arms, perfecting close-order teamwork, practicing standardized movements, developing "free-style" movements, and taking care of their uniform. During competitions, not only is drill precision evaluated, but the uniform and personal appearance are graded as part of the competition. Drill Team Commander will be a cadet selected by the SASI/ASI who normally has participated on the team in the past and serves on the cadet senior staff as a senior commander. The Drill Team Commander will write a drill team operating instruction that includes practice times and distinctive uniform items, which will be approved by the SASI/ASI.
8.3.4. Armed Drill Team. If there is interest, a rifle team will be established for cadets who want to refine their rifle handling skills and knowledge of manual of arms. The Armed Drill Team Commander will be appointed by the SASI/ASI to lead and train the team. The Armed Drill Team Commander will write a drill team operating instruction that includes practice times and distinctive uniform items, which will be approved by the SASI/ASI.
8.3.5. These teams are constantly in the "public's eye" and thus will consist of cadets who are hardworking and have the time and desire to commit themselves to these activities. Since participation is time consuming and will include trips away from school for competitions and performances, we want to ensure that a cadet's academics do not suffer. Thus, participants must not fail any subject and must maintain a school grade of a least a C average (73). Continued uniform or personal appearance violations and school suspensions are unacceptable.
Failure to meet these standards may result in probation for the next grading period until the minimum standards are achieved. Failure to reach these standards after a probationary period expires may result in removal from the team for at least two grading periods.
8.4. Model Rocketry. Members of this activity will learn how to build and launch model rockets. Cadets who meet the AFJROTC qualifications are also eligible for a rocketry badge, which is worn with the uniform.
8.5. Static Model Building. Cadets who enjoy building model airplanes or other aerospace vehicles should consider this activity. The cadet model club may become affiliated with the community's International Modelers Association.
8.6. Field Trips. This is an important part of the AFJROTC curriculum. The SASI/ASI will choose cadets who are students in good standing, are passing AFJROTC, have not had a history of uniform or personal appearance violations, and are released by their teachers to attend the field trip. The SASI will publish a field memorandum to show who has been selected for the trip, dress requirements, and other instructions that must be complied with to participate on the trip. The school must sanction trips and cadets must have their parent/guardian’s permission to participate. Trips will normally occur on school days and sometimes on weekends and evenings.
8.7. Fund Raising Projects. The Cadet Corps needs money to support many of its activities and community service projects. Various fund raising activities are done each school year to raise money. The extent that cadets and their parents or guardians support these activities will determine the level of funding the corps has to minimize costs for social and formal functions and to purchase items that will enhance the Corp’s operation and cadet esprit de corps. Cadet Finance Flight Chief will serve as fund raising coordinator.
8.8. Dances. A Military Ball, a formal Air Force tradition, will be planned and conducted during the school year. Participation is mandatory and will be a part of the cadet’s grade. Usually the Military Ball is a highlight of the year’s activities.
8.9. Awareness Presentation Team. Worthwhile voluntary activity consists of cadets that like to and feel comfortable talking to elementary and middle school students about such social issues as drug education and staying in school. Our involvement in these social issue awareness and training brings our Corps favorable publicity and is a valuable social service to the community. Cadets can earn an APT badge to wear on the uniform if they participate in three events.
8.10. Awards Dinner. This semi-formal activity may occur as desired. Cadets will plan the entire function and will serve in traditional positions that direct the evening's festivities.
8.11. Cadet Corps Commander Staff Meeting. Cadet Corps Commander will schedule, publicize, and conduct a weekly staff meeting. Meetings are open to any cadet. The Staff Meeting provides face-to-face communications between the Commander and their staff. They plan and implement cadet activities in a meeting that is a leadership lab to develop communications, management, and leadership skills. Minutes will be accomplished, published, and posted after each meeting. An agenda should also be published and posted prior to the meeting. The AFJROTC Cadet Operations Center will be set up to ensure that an orderly meeting is conducted.
8.12. Parents Advisory Council. Cadet senior staff, AFJROTC instructors, faculty and administrators, and parents will periodically meet to determine how they can support cadet activities. A general charter will be established and to document and define goals and areas where the group can best optimize their support to the cadets. Areas such as mentorships, career enhancement opportunities education, fundraisers, and chaperones for cadet activities are just a few possible areas of support.
GET INVOLVED – THE MORE YOU DO, THE MORE THAT HAPPENS WHICH MAKES AFJROTC ENROLLMENT NOT ONLY A VALUABLE LEARNING EXPERIENCE BUT ALSO A FUN ACTIVITY!