ABOUT

The AFJROTC program offers credit as elective courses through East Mecklenburg High School. It is a unique course of instruction because the Air Force has established certain requirements that must be met before credit can be given. The program encourages a commitment to develop self-discipline and responsibility.

It must be understood that participation in AFJROTC DOES NOT commit or obligate any student to military service. It does not guarantee special consideration if a student chooses to enter the service. However, a cadet who completes two or more years of AFJROTC may qualify for advanced rank upon enlistment in the military.

East Mecklenburg High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC).

NATIONAL DISTINGUISHED UNIT AWARD RECIPIENT

Air Force JROTC 2023-24 Distinguished Unit Award/with Merit

OUR PHILOSOPHY

/ MISSION & CORE VALUES

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Mission

"Develop citizens of character”

Objectives

The objectives of Air Force JROTC are to educate and train high school cadets in citizenship, promote community service, instill responsibility, character, and self-discipline, and provide instruction in air and space fundamentals.

Core Values

Integrity First - To do the right thing first, even against all hardships that might result from it.

Service Before Self - To do what will help others and your subordinates, before you help yourself.

Excellence In All We Do - The desire to want to achieve excellence even if it is not easy.

/ COMMUNITY SERVICE

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Community service is a major pat of the cadet experience and helps instill a sense of civic pride and citizenship. Projects range from working with national organizations, such as Muscular Dystrophy, Autisum Walk and Special Olympics, to participating in local community projects such as teaching elementary school children the JR. Achievement community lessons, parades, presenting the National Colors at events and the Adopt-A-Highway program.

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/ SCHOLARSHIPS

Throughout the Fall Semester, multiple scholarship opportunities arise to our JROTC cadets. Students will normally need to write an essay and compete against all 20 other CMS high schools to win the scholarship.

As well, cadets meeting age requirements, have the opportunity to compete for Air Force flight training slots held for 8-weeks over the summer called Flight Academy. The entire course is free of charge to the cadet.

There is a J-100 scholarship where two senior cadets wanting to attend college to take ROTC as a career, can compete to receive 100% paid scholarships to any college offering the ROTC program.

OUR HISTORY

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/ OUR ROOTS

East Meck High School's Air Force Junior ROTC unit is one of Charlotte Mecklenburg School's five Air Force JROTC programs and 21 overall programs. We began our existence in 1995. This truly is a first-class, cadet-led leadership program, aerospace science academic course and organization that is an excellent elective for every career path and career major.

/ HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

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The Junior ROTC program began in 1911 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The originator of this idea was Army Lieutenant Edgar R. Steevers, assigned the duty of inspector instructor of the organized military of Wyoming. The National Defense Act of 1916 authorized a junior course for non-college military schools, high schools, and other non-preparatory schools. The Army implemented Junior ROTC in 1916. Public Law 88-647, commonly known as the Reserve Officer Training Corps Vitalization Act of 1964, directed the secretaries of each military service to establish and maintain Junior ROTC units at public and private secondary schools which apply for and are eligible according to the regulations established by each secretary. Such schools must provide a course of military instruction not less than 3 years in length as prescribed by the military department concerned.

/ Unit Goals

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Cadet Impact Goals

1. 70% of cadet corps will maintain a school GPA of 2.75. This increases cadet's ability to get into the college of choice.

2. 90% of cadet corps will maintain JROTC GPA of 3.00. This builds a strong unit of JROTC cadets.

School Impact Goals

1. The Corps goal is to raise 500lbs during the school's can food Hunger Drive. This community service effort will assist those in need to receive food items.

2. 20% of cadet corps will participate in the school campus cleanup. This will show the school body that JROTC is a part of the overall school program.

Community Impact Goals

1. 80% of the cadet corps will obtain 15 community service hours.

2. 50% of cadet corps will participate in extra-curricular activities.