AEROSPACE SCIENCE (Air Force Junior ROTC) DEPARTMENT

Mission

The mission of AFJROTC is to build better citizens for America; teach practical arts (life skills) that will enable students to cope with the physical, mental, social and emotional rigors of life in high school, college and beyond; and to know the role and mission of the various branches of the military service.

Curriculum

Taking Junior ROTC requires absolutely NO MILITARY OBLIGATION and IN NO WAY encourages students to join any branch of the military service. Also, taking Junior ROTC WILL NOT INTERFERE with other school activities. However, cadets who desire to enlist in any branch of the military services after graduation are afforded advanced rank and pay.

First-, second-, and third-year cadets are introduced to the following academic subjects:

Fourth-year cadets (seniors) use the leadership/management techniques they learned their first three years in the Corps to run the Junior ROTC program under the direct supervision of the Aerospace Science Instructors (ASIs). They plan, organize, direct, coordinate and control all Junior ROTC activities. These cadets are given a leadership position in the Corps and are graded on uniform wear and job performance. Their motto is: “If it ain’t immoral, illegal or fattening, you can try it.” 

A major portion of a Junior ROTC cadet’s grade is grooming standards and uniform wear. Each cadet is issued a complete Junior ROTC uniform free of charge. We provide everything but underwear. However, cadets MUST MEET military grooming standards when in uniform, and MUST WEAR their uniform to school, and all day in school, at least one school day per week. Uniform day is normally on Thursdays. Cadets cannot pass Junior ROTC if they do not wear their uniform properly and proudly.

Drill Team

Junior ROTC has a school-sponsored drill team and color guard, which competes against other Junior ROTC units (Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines) approximately six times per school year. These teams also perform at nearly every veterans-sponsored activity throughout the school year. Cadets try out for these teams and can earn a varsity letter by being selected and serving as an active member of the team.

Extracurricular Activities

The Cadet Corps also sponsors four extracurricular activities throughout the school year. Attendance is not mandatory, but is highly encouraged. These activities are:

MILITARY DINING OUT

This is a fun time. Dining Out is a military tradition where cadets gather for a meal and listen to a motivational guest speaker. The “mess,” as it is called, has many rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Failure to adhere to these “rules” requires a trip to the “Grog” bowl to drink of the grog. Cadets enjoy sending each other to the grog bowl to drink the foulest-tasting liquid ever prepared by cadets. The ingredients of the grog are kept secret, but they will not harm anyone. Dining Out is usually held at the school in November.

MILITARY BALL

This is a formal, sit-down dinner dance held outside of school. Male cadets wear their Junior ROTC uniform. Female cadets may wear gowns. The Military Ball is usually held in January.

DRILL COMPETITION

Approximately 20 other Junior ROTC drill teams come to Washington Township to compete for trophies. The competition is held from 0600 to 1600 (6 a.m. to 4 p.m.) on a Saturday in March or April, depending on when Easter falls.

FINAL AWARDS CEREMONY

This is reward time, usually held on a Thursday night in May. Cadets are rewarded for their participation in Junior ROTC activities by receiving medals and ribbons from National Military Organizations (AMVETS, VFW, American Legion, etc.) and from Air Force Junior ROTC.

FIELD TRIPS

Done for curriculum enhancement, the unit has an annual aircraft orientation flight and usually plans trips to tour McGuire Air Force Base, the Dover AFB Air Museum, the Army-Navy football game and participate in the annual Army Mass Decontamination Exercise.