About Us
AFJROTC
Air Force JROTC provides leadership training and an aerospace science program for high school students. Secondary school students who enroll in the AFJROTC program are offered a wide variety of curricular and extracurricular activities. The program explores the historical and scientific aspects of aerospace technology and teaches high school students self-reliance, self-discipline, and other characteristics found in good leaders. The AFJROTC program is open to 9th-12th grade students. The program is not a recruiting tool for military services, and those students who participate in AFJROTC do not incur any obligation to the Air Force.
The objectives of Air Force Junior ROTC are to educate and train high school cadets in citizenship and life skills; promote community service; instill a sense of responsibility; develop character and self-discipline through education and instruction in air and space fundamentals and the Air Force's core values of "Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do".
Instill values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment.
First Year Orientation
Staff Positions
FAQs
Parent Letter
Develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community.
AFJROTC History
Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) can track its heritage to a program founded in 1903 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.
Curriculum
Aerospace science comprises 40 percent of the curriculum, leadership education 40 percent, and health and wellness for life training 20 percent. All students who successfully complete AFJROTC classes are granted credit towards graduation. Classroom study includes the heritage of flight, principles of aircraft flight and navigation, human requirements for flight, development of aerospace power, aerospace vehicles, rocketry, space and technology programs, and the aerospace industry. Students are also introduced to military customs and courtesies, citizenship in the United States, first aid, wellness, health and fitness, basic drill and ceremonies, effective communications, management, human relations, and life after high school. All uniforms and curriculum materials are provided by the Air Force.
To reinforce what is learned in the classroom, cadets participate in many outside activities such as field trips to military bases, aerospace facilities and industries, museums, civilian airports and other areas related to aerospace education.
Cadets also participate in parades, leadership laboratory activities, civilian air rifle marksmanship programs, drill team competitions, color and honor guards, military balls, and honorary academic groups. Many AFJROTC units complement the curriculum through the cooperation and resources of organizations such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Civil Air Patrol, and the National Endowment for Financial Education.
Core Values
Air Force JROTC is a life-changing program that helps unlock every cadet's full potential to become the best version of themselves. Through our supportive and inclusive environment, cadets grow and celebrate their successes along the way. We are committed to providing the future world with successful leaders by helping our cadets reach their goals. The three Air Force core values serve as the moral compass in our program, directing our cadets toward a path brightened with promise and opportunity.
Integrity First
Integrity is a foundational character trait that is instilled in every generation of our cadets, guiding them to uphold moral principles, demonstrate honesty, and maintain accountability.
Service Before Self
Service goes beyond individual goals, requiring personal sacrifices, selflessness, and dedication as every cadet's commitment plays a crucial role in the success and effectiveness of our program. Our cadets dedicate themselves to our unit, community, and nation.
Excellence in All We Do
A mindset of excellence pushes cadets to achieve greater accomplishments and create meaningful impacts in our community and nation. Our cadets strive for the best in academics, fitness, leadership, and all other aspects of our program, allowing them to exemplify this key value.
Scholarships and Other Benefits
AFJROTC cadets who choose to continue their education may receive special consideration for Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarships. Many of these scholarships will pay for two, three, or four years of tuition, books, and fees at numerous universities and colleges and allow cadets to pursue studies in various technical and non-technical majors.
Cadets completing two years of AFJROTC and who continue ROTC in college may waive one term of the AFROTC program. Students completing three years in AFJROTC may receive credit for a full year of college level AFROTC.
In addition, cadets electing to enter the military immediately after graduating from high school are eligible to enlist in the services at one to two pay grades higher than other enlistees. Students completing three years in AFJROTC are eligible to enter the Air Force two pay grades higher than other enlistees and are automatically enrolled into the Community College of the Air Force to receive college credit toward their associate college degree.
Instructors Bios
All AFJROTC instructors are retired Air Force commissioned and non-commissioned officers. The instructors maintain Air Force standards and are trained through the AFJROTC Academic Instructor Course. They are full-time faculty members of the participating high school and are employed by the local school board to teach AFJROTC classes. There are more than 1,910 instructors serving in the 870 units around the world.
Lt Col Darren James, (Retired) USAF
Lieutenant Colonel James retired from the Air Force in October 2020 after 27.5 years of service. His Air Force duties culminated at the Pentagon, Washington D.C., serving as the Deputy Chief, Accessions and Training Division. He led a team of 13 military and civilian personnel in developing and implementing DoDI’s, Law and Air Force Policy affecting 550 thousand Active Duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel. He was responsible for overseeing program execution of $3.4 Billion dollars for all officer and enlisted accessions, recruiting and retraining and commissioning programs for assets to join the United States Air Force and United States Space Force.
Lieutenant Colonel James is a native of Hornell, NY. He joined the Air Force in 1993 and received his commission in 2002 through Officer Training School. He and his family served at 11 different permanent duty assignments. He is married to Karen M. James and has three children; Vanessa, Zachary, and Caleb, and has 5 grandchildren.
He started teaching in July 2020 and teaches Aerospace Science while partnering with SMSgt Lewis on Leadership Education, health and wellness/physical training (PT) to all grade levels of the JROTC program.
Degrees and Certifications:
- MA, Military Operational Art & Science, Air Command and Staff College
- Dual Master’s HRM & Mgmt. & Ldrshp, Webster University
- BS, Criminal Law, Wilmington College
- A.A.S., Pers Mngmnt, Community College AF
- A.A.S., Criminal Justice, Corning Community
MSgt Reginald M. Mendoza, (Retired) USAF
Master Sergeant Reginald M. Mendoza retired from the United States Air Force after more than 21 years of distinguished service, culminating as Maintenance Flight Chief, 36th Maintenance Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. In this role, he led Wheel and Tire, Transient Alert, and Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery teams, delivering critical maintenance and recovery support across Joint Region Marianas. During his final assignment, MSgt Mendoza integrated 12 Tanker Task Force rotations, three Bomber Task Force deployments, and four permanently assigned RQ-4 reconnaissance aircraft, enabling sustained power projection in the Indo-Pacific. He oversaw a $2.3 million Transient Alert contract, supporting the rapid recovery and forward movement of more than 2,000 aircraft at one of the Air Force’s most remote strategic installations.
Previously serving as Maintenance Superintendent within the same organization, MSgt Mendoza directed a cross-functional team of 150 personnel, overseeing maintenance operations and inspections for an aircraft fleet valued at $1.2 billion. He synchronized maintenance support for 89 aircraft during Exercise COPE NORTH 2022, coordinating with 20 flying and maintenance units to generate over 1,000 sorties and execute five first-ever Multiple Capable Airman operations. Additionally, as the base maintenance liaison to the Republic of Singapore Air Force, he delivered bed-down and logistics support at the Marianas Islands Range Complex, directly contributing to a historic national-level agreement and the first permanent assignment of Singaporean aircraft to Guam..
MSgt Mendoza is a native of Dededo, Guam. He joined the Air Force in 2002. He and his family served at 5 different overseas permanent duty assignments. He is married to Christy Mendoza and has 4 children; Krista, Ke’ALe, Kai and Kai’Alani, and has 1 grandchild Kainoa.
He started teaching in January 2026 and teaches Aerospace Science while partnering with Lt. Col James on Leadership Education, health and wellness/physical training (PT) to all grade levels of the JROTC program.
Degrees and Certifications
- 2024 AS9100 Lead Auditor Certification, AXEON
- 2023 Project Management Certification, Coursera Career Certificates
- 2018 Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, University of management and Technology Arlington, Va.
- 2018 Associate of Applied Science Aircraft Maintenance Technology,
- Community College of the Air force Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
Endless Opportunities
