Review the information below to see the list of FAQ's. If you do not find your question and answer listed, please reach out to the instructor staff or the school and we will be happy to answer any question you may have about the program!
Frequently Asked Questions (Parents)
Published 20 Nov 2023
AFJROTC Unit SD-20221, Roosevelt High School, Sioux Falls SD
Is there a military commitment?
There is absolutely no military commitment. Air Force Junior ROTC’s primary mission is to make better citizens. The Air Force JROTC program has no recruiting goals or ties to the Air Force Recruiting Service.
What does JROTC stand for?
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
What is Air Force Junior ROTC?
Air Force Junior ROTC is a congressionally mandated program designed to develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community. Air Force Junior ROTC will assist your child in being successful in high school and in whatever career path they choose.
How will my child benefit?
Air Force Junior ROTC exposes your child to leadership experiences that can be found in no other activity in high school. Your child will earn high school credit and learn life skills they can use long after they graduate.
What does the Air Force provide?
The Air Force provides schools hosting Air Force Junior ROTC units with curriculum and instructional materials, equipment, uniforms, monetary funds for specified expenditures such as cadet field trips, and instructor salary reimbursement.
Are there any costs for Air Force Junior ROTC?
No, the Air Force will provide your child with everything they need to be successful in our program. The only cost to you is routine cleaning of the uniform.
How much of my time will be required?
This depends on your child’s level of participation in the program. It can range from just classroom participation to about the same amount of time you put into other high school extracurricular activities (e.g. football, softball, or band).
What curriculum is taught?
The Aerospace Science curriculum includes the history of aviation, principles of flight, meteorology, navigation, flight physiology, and exploration of space. The Leadership Education curriculum includes training on uniform wear, drill, and customs and courtesies. It also includes stress management, leadership styles, communication skills, and financial management. Multiple opportunities are provided to enrich the curriculum, including various co-curricular activities, drill teams, field trips, parades, Color Guards, and special summer programs.
What type of training do instructors get before they are allowed to teach at the high school?
The JROTC Instructor Certification Course (JICC) curriculum provides student-centered learning experiences that focus on applying basic principles of learning to specific learning situations, planning meaningful instruction, using sound teaching methods, communicating effectively, and evaluating the achievement of learning objectives. This course prepares newly assigned Air Force Junior ROTC faculty to teach in private, public, and DOD dependent high schools worldwide. It is a rigorous, comprehensive, and fast-paced course that requires extensive reading and preparation and moderate research. Major curricular areas include learning theory, learner-centered instructional activities, setting instructional outcomes through lesson planning, and preparation. Teaching methodologies include formal and informal lecture, guided discussion, teaching interview, group activities, and demonstration performance. The course is organized for maximum participation in learning. A majority of class time is devoted to seminar activities. Students plan and present teaching lessons, develop test items, and participate in specialized labs to meet AFJROTC requirements. Students must effectively plan and present teaching lessons. They are urged to use Air Force Junior ROTC lesson plans to prepare the required teaching lessons. Students also receive Air Force Junior ROTC instruction in curriculum, professional relations, leadership, counseling, twenty-first-century learning standards, classroom performance systems, creative teaching strategies, and diverse learning styles. They are introduced to secondary school challenges and concerns.
Officer instructors are retired officers who have at least a bachelor’s degree and typically, a minimum of 20 years on active duty. Most also have master’s degrees and/or backgrounds in teaching and extensive experience working with youth groups.
Enlisted instructors are retired noncommissioned officers (NCOs) with typically, a minimum of 20 years on active duty. More than 86 percent of enlisted instructors have a bachelor’s degree with an additional 32 percent holding a master's degree or higher. Most enlisted instructors have extensive experience in leadership, supply, administration, drill and ceremony, teaching, and experience working with youth groups.
What are the benefits for my child if he/she wants to pursue a military career?
If your child is considering pursuing a career in the U.S. Armed Forces, the Air Force Junior ROTC program will put them ahead of their peers. Success in the program (minimum of 2 years’ participation) translates into increased military rank (up to two grades), responsibility, and pay.
Are there college scholarship opportunities for cadets who want to go to college and become an officer in the military?
Yes, the Army, Navy and Air Force ROTC offer several competitive scholarships, including partial or fully paid tuition and a monthly stipend towards pre-approved college degrees. A commission in the Air Force is awarded upon graduation from college and successful completion of the ROTC program.
Is my school paying for all of this?
The Air Force provides schools hosting Junior ROTC units with instructional materials, equipment, uniforms, monetary reimbursement for orientation trips, funds for specified expenditures, and instructor salary reimbursement. Instructional materials include textbooks, training aids, some items of equipment such as computers, monitors prescribed in the Air Force Junior ROTC curriculum are supplied by the school.
What are the student enrollment eligibility requirements?
Students must be enrolled in a regular course of instruction in grades 9 through 12 at the school hosting the Air Force JROTC unit. Students must be physically qualified to participate fully in the physical education program of the host school, maintain acceptable standards of conduct and comply with specified personal grooming and uniform wear standards. Additionally, we accept students who are home-schooled within the RHS boundry. Outside school district students who are interested must first contact administration in their current school for approval before contacting us or the SFSD.
What is the relationship of the instructors to other members of the faculty?
The Senior Aerospace Science Instructor (SASI) and the Aerospace Science Instructor (ASI) are members of the faculty and teach an integral part of the school’s curriculum. They are subject to the same extracurricular assignments and duties as other teachers, such as monitoring Ad Room and study hall, and are evaluated by the school’s administration on the same recurring basis. In addition, they receive the same benefits of sick leave, holidays, and vacations as do the other teachers.