Academics are ‘job one’ in our program. Courses are open to any student. There are three parts to the curriculum: academics, leadership, and health/fitness. Classroom time is divided into academics and leadership with one class period each week dedicated to physical fitness. We offer two science classes, three social studies courses, and three occupational courses.
|
AFJROTC is a major leadership laboratory and students learn about customs and courtesies, communication skills, study habits, time management, life skills, wellness and fitness, leadership and management, financial management, and careers. There are also eight graded Co-curricular events outside of class that help reinforce JROTC values.
Offered Classes
Science of Flight
The Science of Flight is a non-lab science course designed to acquaint the student with the principles of aircraft flight, the aerospace atmospheric environment, the aviation physiology, and basic principles of air navigation. The course begins with a discussion of the principles and physics of flight including the forces of lift, drag, thrust, and weight. We review the purpose and function of aircraft parts, aircraft motion and control, flight power, and new innovations in aviation. We then delve into an understanding of the aerospace environment including the atmosphere and weather. The section on aviation physiology covers the challenges of human limitations in the aerospace environment. Discussed here are the human circulatory system, the effects of acceleration and deceleration, and protective equipment. Students also learn basic navigation including map reading, course plotting, and the effects of wind. Leadership education will focus on communication skills, effective listening, writing, individual behavior, group behavior and basic leadership concepts. Offered alternate years from Exploring Space. This is a lab-science credit awarding class.
Exploring Space
This is a non-lab science course that includes space science and space exploration. The course begins with the study of the space environment from the earliest days of interest in astronomy and early ideas of the heavens, through the Renaissance, and on into modern astronomy. It provides a study of the earth, sun, stars, moon, and solar system, including the terrestrial and the outer planets. It discusses issues critical to travel in the upper atmosphere such as orbits and trajectories, unmanned satellites, and space probes. It investigates the importance of entering space and discusses manned and unmanned space flights, focusing on concepts surrounding spaceflight, space vehicles, launch systems, and space missions. The section on manned spaceflight focuses on the Space Shuttle, space stations and beyond, covering milestones in the endeavor to land on the Moon and to safely orbit humans and crafts for temporary and prolonged periods. The course covers the human aspect of spaceflight, focusing on the human experience in space. It also examines the latest advances in space technology, including robotics in space, the Mars Rover, and commercial uses of space. Leadership education focuses on the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (AFJROTC) mission to “develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community.” This is accomplished through better communication, increased awareness of self and others, and improved leadership. Woven throughout the course is the underlying theme of developing personal integrity while emphasizing leadership and other values, such as service and excellence. Offered alternate years from The Science of Flight. This is a lab-science credit awarding class.
Health / Aviation History
This course provides both health and social studies credit with a wellness program that includes conditioning, fitness principles, nutrition, stress management, and first aid. The aviation history curriculum focuses on the development of flight throughout the centuries. It starts with ancient civilizations, then progresses through time to modern day. The emphasis is on civilian and military contributions to aviation; the development, modernization, and transformation of the Air Force; and a brief astronomical and space exploration history. It is interspersed with concise overviews of the principles of flight to include basic aeronautics, aircraft motion and control, flight power, and rockets. Leadership instruction stresses citizenship, military tradition, uniform wear, basic drill skills, as well as study habits and time management. This is a health and social studies credit awarding class.
Survival
The Survival class is a unique course that offers hands on training in a wide variety of activities. This class prepares students for leadership roles, critical situation communication, decision making, and surviving in adverse conditions. The syllabus covers the elements of surviving : survival preparedness, conditions affecting survival, survivor's needs, psychological aspects of survival, and the will to survive. The course also covers topics on personal protection such as clothing and shelter; necessities to maintain life such as firecraft, equipment, food, and water; and several navigation and signaling skills and techniques. This class is an elective.
Civics and Global Topics AFJROTC
The focus of study is current world politics, economics, culture, military and geographic problems that impact U.S. foreign and domestic policy. Areas of study include energy, social issues, strategic policies, US and world economy, international trade and relations, environment, and comparative religion. World focus areas include the US, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada, the Middle East, and Africa. Students will engage in a systematic study of the American political system. The goal is to enhance student understanding of the role of individual of individual rights and responsibilities, representative government, citizen participation, and citizen influence of public policy. Students will also learn about leadership and management techniques, planning, health and fitness, and financial management. Students will be required to complete a state-mandated classroom-based assessment to meet the Washington State graduation requirement. This is a civics credit awarding class and fulfills the school district Civics graduation requirement.
Management of the Cadet Corps
This occupational course focuses on the AFJROTC mission to “develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community.” This hands-on experience affords the cadets the opportunity to put the theories of previous leadership courses into practice. All the planning, organizing, coordinating, directing, controlling, and decision-making will be done by cadets. They practice their communication, decision-making, personal-interaction, managerial, and organizational skills. Students will work on AF JROTC projects that are related to the cadet corps and functions of the cadet corps. This class is an elective.
Scholarship
Active members of JROTC are given special consideration for four-year college-level ROTC scholarships. We can also help with the service academy application process. Additionally, enrollment in AFJROTC for at least 3 years earns the student an immediate promotion of one or two ranks (depending on the branch) upon military enlistment.
Physical Training
20% of our scheduled time is dedicated to physical activity. Physical Fitness Training generally occurs every Friday. Cadets are assessed three times each year on Presidential Fitness Standards which include the mile run, v-sit, shuttle run, push ups and sit-ups.