STARTING A UNIT
1. First, in general, a high school needs an enrollment of at least
500 students in grades 9-12. Then the school must submit an application
to AFJROTC Headquarters. If the application is acceptable, the Air Force
will visit the school and evaluate the ability and willingness of the school
and community to support the AFJROTC program. If approved, the school
will be placed on a list with other high schools waiting for an AFJROTC program.
2. The JROTC program was established by Public Law 86-647 and operates
under a contract between the Air Force and the affected school district.
Once the AFJROTC unit is established, the minimum enrollment of 100 cadets
must be maintained as of the reporting date of 01 OCT, each year. The "magic"
number is the lesser of 100 cadets or 10% of the total school enrollment.
3. The last step in starting a unit is hiring instructors. The Air Force
maintains a list of qualified instructor applicants and will post the positions
to solicit interested applicants. The top three or four for each position
are then nominated to the school principal. Each applicant must make arrangements
with the principal for the interview. The hiring decision is made in accordance
with local school district policies.
4. Financially, the AFJROTC program is a very low cost for the school.
The Air Force provides all uniforms and necessary instructional materials
as well as approximately two-thirds of the instructors cost.
