Air Force: the Benefits of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (Jrotc)

The frequent question, “How do we forge good American citizens?”has been asked every year, and it is addressed differently by every group in society. The National Defense addressed this question by creating the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) for all four military branches: Air Force, Army, Marines, and Navy. Although eligibility requirements and specific mission vary among branches, they share the primary goal of developing responsible and informed citizens, who are motivated to obtain higher education and take on leadership positions. All four armed services generally require students to maintain acceptable academic achievements, physical fitness, and to proudly represent the military branch by maintaining appropriate dress and appearance standards and conduct (Helium). The Air Force’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program instills this goal for a better society, but the focus is more on the rewards the students, also known as cadets, obtain for themselves rather than for society. Students who are active participants of AFJROTC receive many rewards that are beneficial for them while in school, but also for a life time. The history of Junior Reserve Training Corps (JROTC) can be traced back to its founder, Army Lieutenant Edgar R. Steevers; who founded the program in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1911. Lieutenant Edgar R. Steevers believed that a cadet corps composed of high school students would encourage them to be better citizens. Following Lieutenant Edgar R. Steevers dreams, the National Defense Act of 1916 was passed; this act authorized high schools and non-preparatory schools to establish a junior course. Later on, the Public Law 88-647 or ROTC Vitalization Act of 1964 formally established the Junior Reserve Training Corps (JROTC), while implementing the customs and regulations of each military branch according to the military branch that was been represented. The Air Force opened its first JROTC programs in the year 1966 and from