About Air Force Junior ROTC

Colonel Michael F. Power Director, Air Force Junior ROTC  Biography  Welcome to Air Force Junior ROTC. The mission of Air Force Junior ROTC is "Developing citizens of character." Air Force Junior ROTC is not a military accessions program and cadets are never under any obligation to join the military. Air Force Junior ROTC is a Title 10 U.S. Code mandated citizenship training program that is designed to educate and train high school cadets in citizenship, promote community service, instill personal responsibility, character, and self-discipline. The program achieves this through classroom education in air and space fundamentals and hands on learning opportunities in a number of fun and challenging co-curricular activities. 

The Air Force Junior ROTC program is grounded in the Air Force core values of “integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.”  

The program is mandated to sustain 870 Air Force Junior ROTC units in high schools worldwide. There are approximately 85,000 high school cadets in the program and nearly 1,600 retired USAF instructors who lead, mentor, guide, and teach our cadets in high schools in the U.S. and around the world. Air Force Junior ROTC enjoys overwhelming school administration and community support because of the huge positive impact on cadets, schools, communities, and our nation. In many communities that have no military bases within many miles, the cadets and instructors of Air Force Junior ROTC are truly “The face of the U.S. Air Force in communities all over the U.S. and the world.” 

Mission:  Develop citizens of character.

Goals:  Instill the values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment.

Personnel and Resources:  Air Force Junior ROTC (AFJROTC) is supported by approximately 66 headquarters personnel and more than 1,600 retired Air Force officer and enlisted instructors. The program is authorized to sustain approximately 843 units serving about 91,000 cadets in high schools throughout the United States, Guam, and selected Department of War Education Activity schools overseas.

Organization:  AFJROTC is a citizenship and character-development program for students in grades 8-12. The curriculum combines aerospace education, leadership development, wellness, and service learning. Students develop self-discipline, confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills while exploring aviation, space, and emerging technologies, including STEM-related fields. Under Title 10, U.S. Code, AFJROTC is not a recruiting program, and participation does not incur a military service obligation. Program objectives include developing informed citizens, strengthening character, promoting community service, and fostering leadership through the Air Force core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do.

Curriculum:  The AFJROTC curriculum consists of Aerospace Science, Leadership Education, and Health and Wellness. Aerospace Science explores aviation history, flight principles, aerospace power, space operations, cultural studies, cyber technology, and emerging STEM disciplines. Leadership Education focuses on citizenship, communication, ethics, wellness, drill and ceremonies, human relations, management, and college and career readiness. Partnerships with organizations such as NASA and Civil Air Patrol further enhance learning opportunities.

Leadership Development Requirements:  Cadets are encouraged to participate in Leadership Development Requirements (LDRs) that extend learning beyond the classroom. Common activities include Drill Team, Color Guard, Raiders competitions, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, CyberPatriot, StellarXplorers, Rocketry, Robotics, Academic Bowl, Marksmanship, Archery, and locally developed community-focused programs. These experiences strengthen leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and service skills.

Instructors:  AFJROTC instructors uphold Air Force standards and complete specialized certification and training programs to prepare them for success in the classroom. Employed by local school districts as full-time faculty members at participating high schools, they teach AFJROTC courses while serving as mentors and role models for cadets. All AFJROTC instructors are retired Airmen or Guardians, honorably discharged Air Force or Space Force veterans, or current Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Space Force personnel with at least eight years of qualifying military service. More than 1,700 AFJROTC instructor positions support AFJROTC programs in high schools across the United States and around the world.

Community Service:  Community service is a cornerstone of the AFJROTC experience. Cadets collectively contribute more than 1.6 million hours of service annually, supporting national charitable organizations and addressing local community needs through volunteer projects, environmental initiatives, public events, and outreach activities.

Post-High School Scholarships and Other Benefits:  AFJROTC provides opportunities that support postsecondary education and career development. The Chief of Staff of the Air Force Flight Academy Scholarship Program offers eligible cadets the opportunity to pursue private pilot training. Students who complete three years of AFJROTC may qualify for advanced enlisted rank upon entering military service, subject to service-specific policies. Many cadets also earn college credit opportunities and gain valuable leadership experience that enhances scholarship and employment competitiveness.

AFJROTC Support to US Space Force - Space Force JROTC Unit Cohort:  Following the establishment of the U.S. Space Force in December 2019, selected AFJROTC 10 units transitioned to Space Force JROTC units as part of an initial pilot cohort. During 2026, two additional units have since been added, while administration and oversight continue to be provided through AFJROTC headquarters.

For More Information AFJROTC Headquarters
60 West Maxwell Boulevard
Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6501
Phone: (334) 953-7513
Website: https://www.afaccessionscenter.af.mil/Holm-Center/AFJROTC/

(Current as of 19 August 2026)

The Junior ROTC program began in 1911 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The originator of the program 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 Officers' 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.

With a modest beginning of 20 units in 1966 Air Force Junior ROTC has grown to a mandated 870 high schools throughout the world, including units located in Department of Defense Schools in Europe and the Pacific. Junior ROTC enrollment worldwide includes approximately 90,000 cadets. Only boys were allowed as cadets in 1966, but Public Law 93-165 amended the requirement that a Junior ROTC unit have a minimum number of physically fit male students, thus allowing female students to count toward the minimum students needed for a viable unit. In 1972 the enrollment included 2,170 females making up 9% of the corps. Since then the number of females has increased to 40% of the cadet corps.

The Air Force Junior ROTC program provides citizenship training and an aerospace science program for high school youth. Enrollment in the Air Force Junior ROTC program is open to all young people who are in grades 9-12. Host schools are selected upon the basis of fair and equitable distribution throughout the nation. Retired Air Force commissioned and noncommissioned officers who are full-time faculty members of the participating high school and employed by the local school board teach Air Force Junior ROTC classes.