The Aerospace Science Department

The Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training curriculum includes instruction which emphasizes self-discipline, citizenship, patriotism, leadership, and instruction in aerospace science. Each AFJROTC unit has an organizational structure that is administered and operated by student cadets. Cadets participate in academic, athletic, and military competition at the local, state, and national levels

Virginia 62 Air Force JR ROTC unit was established in 1972 at Western Branch High School in Chesapeake Virginia. The VA-62 has an average enrollment of 120 cadets, with a rank structure from cadet Airman to cadet Lieutenant Col. The unit is very active in its home community where it participates in many events including visits to the vet hospital, Bruin Drive Clean Up, home coming parade, Chesapeake Christmas Parade. The unit also has 5 special units: 1) Honor Guard; 2)Color Guard; 3)Saber Team; 4,5)Male and Female Drill Teams!

The current Aerospace Science instructors are: Michael Kloskin, Lt Col, USAF(Ret).

VA-62's Purpose---- The Air Force Junior ROTC Aerospace Scienece program is designed to build better citizens, strengthen character, and acquant cadets with the Aerospace age and careers in military and civilian aviation. Most importantly, it will emphasize the skills necessary for leadership-confidence, responsibility and self-discipline.

The programs purpose is to install in students in the United States secondary educational institutions the value of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment.

The goals of the J.R.O.T.C are:

• Promote patriotism
• Develop informed and responsible citizens
• Develop habits of orderliness and respect for authority
• Develop self-reliance, discipline, and leadership
• Develop awareness and detailed understanding about aerospace and security
• Develop awareness and understanding of the basic elements of the military and national security
• Develop respect for the needs for continued authority in a democratic society

• Classroom academic studies
• Team building/ leadership opportunities
• Intramural competition
• Field trips and summer training opportunities

• Require a service obligation
• Recruit combat skills training

• Increased attendance
• Higher graduation rate
• New curriculum opportunity
• Reduced gang involvement
• Decreased discipline problems
• Student leadership development
• Increased parental involvement
• General military awareness
• Nationwide support network

• Credits for graduation
• Opportunity to participate on different teams and in varied leadership positions
• Mentoring relationship with the instructors
• Increased scholarship/service academy opportunities
• Increased student self-esteem
• Opportunity for field trips and summer programs
• Benefits and advanced enlistment opportunities for those who desire to join the military

WHAT THE SCHOOL/SCHOOL DISTRICT MUST PROVIDE:

• Academic credit for course work
• Classroom space, storage and drill areas
• Partial salary/benefits

• Educational/audiovisual material
• Books, curriculum guides, note taking guides
• Unit support and maintenance funds
• Honor Guard and drill team equipment
• Field trip opportunities
• Qualified instructor applicants
• Partial salary reimbursement

The success of the AFJROTC program lies in its progressive and academically sound curriculum and the numerous extra-curricular activities AFJROTC offers students. The curriculum is two part: aerospace studies and leadership/life skills education. Host schools may elect to emphasize either portion of this curriculum based upon the needs of the students.

Aerospace Studies: The first year covers the heritage and development of flight and military aerospace policies. The second year includes the environment in which aircraft and spacecraft operate. Flight and navigational principles and the requirements for human flight are also included. Rocketry, space vehicles, and the exploration of space are covered in the third year. The fourth year offers three options: Management of the Cadet Corps; Honors Program-Ground School; and Laboratory Manual, Geography, and Survival.

Curriculum Summary

Emphasizing Aerospace Studies
 

Leadership/Life-Skills Education. Leadership education is emphasized each year. An emphasize is placed on the development of life-skills while exposing cadets to opportunities to learn and practice basic leadership. The leadership/life-skills course work helps prepare cadets for positions in any career. Classes provide cadets with a basic knowledge of military customs and courtesies, military organization and principles of leadership, flag etiquette, drill and ceremony.

Emphasizing Leadership and Life-skills

Extracurricular Activities:
Extracurricular activities and opportunites are an important part of AFJROTC. Cadets participate in summer leadership camps, drill meets, orienteering, debates, and discussion forums. AFJROTC does not engage in marksmanship training or teach individual combat skills.

Career-minded high school students will learn about jobs in aerospace industry and the Air Force that will open important opportunities for the future. High school students who complete the aerospace science program in Air Force Junior ROTC may be able to enter the Military at higher pay grades than most enlistees. Also, AFJROTC cadets will be prepared to work in an expanding technological world -- in the Air Force or as a civilian.

College bound students can compete for an Air Force Academy nomination or an Air Force ROTC scholarship through their Air Force Junior ROTC unit. Or, they may receive credit for the first year of an Air Force ROTC four-year college program--- plus, free uniforms, insignia and ROTC textbooks. They may also receive priority processing when entering the Air Force if they win the Congressman Herbert Advanced Placement Award.

The Aerospace Science program in our school recently consists of four flights. They are the "A" flight, "B" Flight, "C" Flight, and the "D" Flight. The A, B, and C flights are classes while the D flight is made up of the stundents that took the course last semester and are currently enrolled on the roster of the many teams and after school activities the coures has for the cadets.