Benton High School
LA-951
Air Force
JROTC
Preparing All Students For Life-Long Succes
About Air Force JROTC
Mission:
"Develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community”
The objectives of 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.
The AFJROTC program is grounded in the Air Force core values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. The curriculum emphasizes the Air Force heritage and traditions, the development of flight, applied flight sciences, military aerospace policies, and space exploration.
Curriculum opportunities include:
Academic studies
Character education
Life skills education
Leadership opportunities
Team-building experiences
Intramural competition
Field trips / training opportunities
Community ProjectsIn an effort to produce well-informed and helpful citizens, AFJROTC encourages its cadets to get involved in their local communities. This is one of the most interesting and fun aspects of the AFJROTC experience. The number, type and size of cadet community projects are limited only by their imagination. Units perform as a team as they coordinate everything from car washes to candy sales and from Jog-A-Thons to paper drives. Some units may clean stadiums after football games and donate aluminum cans for community recycling programs. Any proceeds from these fund-raising activities benefit the respective units. Many cadets also volunteer their time to support local non-profit events. Some of these organizations include the March of Dimes, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Adopt-a-Highway Program and the Special Olympics. Cadets have worked to clean and refurbish cemeteries, rebuild parks, sponsor little league teams and work with the visually and mentally impaired.
One AFJROTC unit organized a volunteer team to help a paralyzed boy walk again by helping him with his physical therapy. Another unit worked with the Multiple Sclerosis Swimming Therapy Sessions and the Handicapped Bowling League. Yet another unit helped distribute clothing and food for homeless native Americans. Cadets routinely visit homes for the aged, hospitals, veterans groups and many other agencies to demonstrate their resolve to help their community and their country.
AFJROTC History
Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) can track its heritage to a program founded in 1911 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, by Army Lt Edgar R. Steevers. Lieutenant Steevers was assigned as an inspector-instructor of the organized military of Wyoming. During his assignment, he envisioned a noncompulsory cadet corps comprised of high school students. His program was aimed toward making better citizens.
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 JROTC in 1916. Public Law 88-647, commonly known as the ROTC Vitalization Act of 1964, directed the secretaries of each military service to establish and maintain JROTC units for their respective services. The first Air Force JROTC programs were opened in 1966.
“(The) purpose of Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps [is] to instill in students in United States secondary educational institutions the value of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment.” (10 USC Sec 2031)
Air Force JROTC (AFJROTC) is a continuing success story. From a modest beginning of 20 units in 1966, AFJROTC has grown to 869 units throughout the world, with 118,800 cadets. The AFJROTC program positively influences our country by helping one student at a time. Comprised solely of active duty Air Force retirees, the AFJROTC instructor force is helping to form tomorrow’s nation by educating proud and patriotic cadets—tomorrow’s leaders.
LA-951 History
LA-951 was activated in 1995 and instructed by
by Senior Aerospace Science Instructor Major Jordan, who was assisted by CMSgt John Resser and CMSgt AJ Benoit. The first corps commander was Shannon Eastridge. In 1996 the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor became Lt Col. John E. Collier, and MSgt Tim Martin replaced CMSgt Resser as one of the assistant instructors. In 2005, CMSgt Benoit retired and MSgt Dave Milner joined the team.
The first award LA-951 enjoyed was being recognized as an honor unit from air force headquarters in April 1997. In 1999, LA-951 recieved an excellent unit assessment. From 2003 to 2008, LA-951 recieved a distinguished unit assessment. In 2009, following an official air force inspection, LA-951 recieved, for the first time, the highest award of distinguished unit with merit. From 2010-2012, LA-951 was recognized as a distinguished unit. 2012 saw the retirement of Lt. Col Collier and Msgt Martin. In 2013, LA-951 recieved its second distinguished unit with merit award from the United States Air Force. In 2014, the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor became Major John Beck.
Today, the instructor core of LA-951 is Senior Aerospace Science Instructor Major John Beck and Aerospace Science Instructor Msgt Dave Milner.