FHS AFJROTC announces changes

Farmington Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps will see some significant changes in the 2008-2009 school year, that according to Lt. Col. Stephen Wenninger (Retired), the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor.

The unit had a great year and is looking to build on last year’s success. The unit was awarded “Outstanding Unit with Merit” which is AFJROTC’s highest rating for last year’s performance.

Also, AFJROTC instructors were both selected as “Outstanding Instructors” for last year. The Drill Team and Color Guard both received recognition for their outstanding performance in the Sumner Drill Meet in a weather shortened drill season, and they performed at a St. Louis Cardinal Baseball game as part of the pregame ceremonies for the first time.

Some significant changes have been projected for the new school year. First, freshmen do not have to wear the Air Force Uniform until January 2009 unless they choose to do so. This will give prospective cadets a one semester trial period. Second, AFJROTC has been approved for Paint Ball Events for the first time since the unit was formed in 1996. Third, there is a new (Air Force provided) “Classroom Performance System” which is an automated system that will become a part of the classroom instruction designed to give instructors feedback on student engagement level on the daily lesson.

Last, AFJROTC is pursuing a competition Air Rifle Team which has been fielded with Army ROTC units for some time. Air Force Units are currently starting Air Rifle Competition on a limited basis. Farmington has requested an Air Rifle Team but has yet to be approved for funding and equipment.

The unit is planning one new field trip this year to the Scott Air Force Base Air Show in September. Other field trips continue to include a Freshman over night trip to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio; an upper classman over night trip to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala.; and finally NASA’s Challenger Learning Center in Ferguson, Mo., in the Spring Semester.

Wenninger said, “We are looking forward to another outstanding year as part of Farmington High School and the Parkland Area.”

Archives Web Site Marketplace Obits Babies Jobs