Department of Aerospace Science

DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE SCIENCE

RIDGELAND HIGH SCHOOL

RIDGELAND, MISSISSIPPI 39157

FOREWORDS:

Congratulations on your decision to enroll in the award winning Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) program at Ridgeland High School.

The Mississippi 20022nd AFJROTC Group was established at Ridgeland High School in August of 2002 by agreement between the Madison County School System and the United States Air Force.

The Senior Aerospace Science Instructor (SASI) is a retired United States Air Force Officer and the Aerospace Science Instructor (ASI) is a retired U.S. Air Force Noncommissioned Officer. These instructors have extensive professional military education, training, and experience in teaching others.

The Aerospace Science Instructors and the Cadets of the MS-20022 AFJROTC Group at Ridgeland High School prepared this cadet guide for your use. It is not a regulation although it refers to Air Force regulations and school regulations and gives guidance in areas not practically regulated. This guide may also be informative to principals, counselors, teachers and parents.

The standards in this guide support the leadership and personal development objectives of the AFJROTC program, and if these standards are taken in the spirit in which they are intended, they will provide the foundation for a pleasant and profitable high school and educational experience. This cadet guide contains policy guidance, requirements and rules of conduct for you, an AFJROTC cadet, at Ridgeland High School. I recommend that you study this guide thoroughly. You will be held responsible for its contents during class, daily activities, and trips and on examinations.

We wish you success and personal satisfaction as a member of the Ridgeland High School Corps of Cadet and as a student at RHS. Good luck and Aim High!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER / SUBJECT / PAGE
CHAPTER ONE / THE MISSION/OBJECTIVES OF THE AIR FORCE JUNIOR ROTC (AFJROTC) PROGRAM / 3
CHAPTER TWO / ADMISSION/TRANSFER OF CADETS/PROBATIONARY STUDENT STATUS/DISENROLLMENT / 5
CHAPTER THREE / CADET HONOR CODE / 7
CHAPTER FOUR / CONDUCT AND MILITARY COURTESY/ CADET MERIT AND DEMERIT SYSTEM/SEXUALHARASSMENT/HAZING / 8
CHAPTER FIVE / ACADEMICS AND GRADING FORMULA / 11
CHAPTER SIX / APPEARANCE OF CADETS / 13
CHAPTER SEVEN / CO-CURRICULAR CLUB ACTIVITIES/ FIELD TRIPS/ETC. / 15
CHAPTER EIGHT / PROMOTION OF CADETS / 18
CHAPTER NINE / AWARDS AND DECORATIONS / 20
CHAPTER TEN / CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION AND TRAINING / 22
CHAPTER ELEVEN / FLIGHT COMPETITION / 23
CHAPTER TWELVE / CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT ACCOUNT / 24
CHAPTER THIRTEEN / WEAR OF THE UNIFORM / 26
CHAPTER FOURTEEN / ORGANIZATION OF MISSISSIPPI 20022 SQUADRON / 31
CHAPTER FIFTEEN / JOB DESCRIPTIONS / 33
CHAPTER SIXTEEN / UNIT MANNING DOCUMENT / 38
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN / CADET BOARDS OF REVIEW / 40
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN / CORPS STAFF MEETINGS / 41
CHAPTER NINETEEN / FIELD TRIPS / 41
ATTACHMENTS:
1 / Application for Membership in Color Guard, Drill Team, & APT / 42
2 / AFJROTC Trip Form / 43

CHAPTER ONE

THE MISSION/OBJECTIVES OF THE AIR FORCE JUNIOR ROTC PROGRAM

The Mission of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps or AFJROTC is to educate and train high school students in citizenship; promote community service; build character; instill responsibility and self-discipline; and provide instruction in air and space fundamentals.

The program at Ridgeland High School expands this basic mission statement to include teaching our cadets how to organize, plan, and work together with the goal of producing better citizens now and for the future. Community service helps us accomplish these objectives. It is important for our cadets to learn to organize and work together, to have pride in what they can accomplish, and to see the positive effects of their efforts.

The Aerospace Science Courses introduce the historical, scientific and technical aspects of the aerospace environment. Leadership education provides experiences to develop leadership, followership, discipline, responsibility, communication skills, and citizenship. Education and leadership also includes wearing the Air Force uniform, the proper observance of Air Force customs and courtesies, participating in drill and ceremonies, giving and receiving instructions, acting as a leader and a member of the Mississippi 20022 Group

MISSION OF THE AFJROTC PROGRAM

- Promote Community Service

-Strengthen character

- Develop informed Students

- Promote an understanding of the role of the citizen and the citizen soldier in a democratic society

- Familiarize the students with the Aerospace Age

- Motivate students toward Aerospace Careers

OBJECTIVES OF THE AFJROTC PROGRAM

Each student should develop . . .

- A sense of patriotism and an understanding of the sacrifices others have made so we might have the freedoms we enjoy

- A high degree of personal honor, self-reliance, self-discipline and leadership

-Habits of orderliness, precision, and promptness

-An understanding of why positive values are important and why individuals must meet positive expectations and standards to be successful

- A respect for and an understanding of the need for authority in a democratic society

- An appreciation for the basic elements of national security

- Knowledge of fundamental aerospace doctrine

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- A knowledge of and an appreciation for Air Force traditions the United States Air Force

- Basic military skills (Drill and ceremonies/customs and courtesies)

- A sense of community pride through community service projects

The standards of conduct and appearance for cadets in the Air Force Junior ROTC program have been developed and established for Ridgeland High School. We expect our cadets to meet or exceed these standards. When cadets fail to meet these standards, there are consequences that the cadet must face. The cadet is the one that is responsible for what happens within the program, not the parent. Our program attempts to instill a sense of responsibility and self-discipline in our cadets. The standards are high but the rewards are great for those who stay the course.

CHAPTER TWO

ADMISSION/TRANSFER OF CADETS/ALTERNATIVE STUDENTS STATUS/DISENROLLMENT

ADMISSION

Admission into the AFJROTC Program means that a student must be:

- ENROLLED in and ATTEND a regular course of instruction in the Ridgeland High School system

- a CITIZEN or RESIDENT ALIEN of the United States

of GOOD MORAL CHARACTER

- at least 14 years of age

- able to participate in AFJROTC training (a cadet is considered physically fit if he/she is eligible to participate in the high school physical education program at RHS)

- ACCEPTED BY THE SENIOR AEROSPACE SCIENCE INSTRUCTOR (SASI)

TRANSFER

Transfer of cadets from other Air Force, Army, Navy or Marine Corps JROTC programs may be permitted with full credit for training already received based on a review of their records. This is not an automatic process. We must receive the cadet’s records and the records must be outstanding in order for us to grant credit.

PROBATIONARY STUDENTS are students who have failed meet the standards of the AFJROTC Program by committing a breech of the rules, regulations or for disciplinary problems. These students will beplaced in a probationary statusnot to exceed 30 days in an attempt to rehabilitate their behavior. These students will not wear a uniform (and will turn in their uniform if one had been issued). They will not be allowed to participate in co-curricular activities. They will receive a grade of zero (0) for the leadership portion (comprises 30% of the total grade) of the curriculum. Reference Chapter Five - Academics and Grading Formula for a more detailed discussion on how Probationary Student status affects the student’s grades.

DISENROLLMENT

Disenrollment of a cadet may be made for any of the following reasons

- INAPTITUDE, INDIFFERENCE TO TRAINING, DISCIPLINARY REASONS, or reasons involving UNDESIRABLE CHARACTER TRAITS

- FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ACCEPTABLE Standards (haircut grooming, proper uniform wear etc.)

- INSUBORDINATION

- Individual request for release

- Failure to remain in school

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Cadet Responsibility: Each cadet must agree to abide by the rules and regulations of this AFJROTC Unit and accept responsibility for the proper care and maintenance of their uniform, textbooks and equipment before they can become a member of the Cadet Corps. Signing the letter of agreement signifies the understanding of this responsibility.

The Cadet Oath Ceremony is when a cadet officially becomes a member of the Corps of Cadets at Ridgeland High School.

CHAPTER THREE

CADET CODE OF HONOR

The basis of Leadership within the Cadet Corps is trust, integrity, and mutual respect. All cadets are expected to conduct themselves in an ethical and honorable manner.

The foundation of the Cadet Code of Honor is that cadets will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate anyone that does.

The ceremony in which a cadet officially becomes a member of the Cadet Corps is the administering of the Cadet Oath. This oath is designed to encourage a high degree of personal honor, self-reliance, development of leadership skills associated with integrity and honor and develop respect for authority.

The Principal of Ridgeland High School or his/her designated representative will administer The Cadet Oath to the assembled Cadet Corps.

The Cadet Oath is as follows:

I DO SOLMNLY AFFIRM THAT I WILL LOVE AND REVERE MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY STATE AND MY SCHOOL. THAT I WILL RESPECT AND OBEY MY TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS. THAT I WILL NOT LIE, CHEAT OR STEAL NOR TOLERATE ANYONE WHO DOES. I FURTHER AFFIRM THAT I WILL TAKE PRIDE IN THE WEARING OF MY UNIFORM, THAT I WILL MAINTIAIN SELF RESPECT AND SELF CONTROL, AND THAT I WILL TREAT ALL PEOPLE WITH THE RESPECT I EXPECT TO RECEIVE. I ALSO PLEDGE TO OBEY AND HELP ENFORCE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF MY SCHOOL. SO HELP ME GOD.

CHAPTER FOUR

CONDUCT AND MILITARY COURTESY/CADET MERIT AND DEMERIT SYSTEM

GENERAL: Cadets are expected to observe correct military customs, courtesy and conduct at all times. This conduct will reflect credit upon themselves, their parents/guardians, the AFJROTC Unit and Ridgeland High School. Cadets are expected to set a proper example for other students and cadets to follow.

GENERAL CLASSROOM CONDUCT FOR ALL CADETS

Cadets should:

- Set an example for their peers to follow in all of their classes

- Be prepared for class by doing homework and readings

- Be at your desk prior to the tardy bell

- Not chew gum, eat candy or food or drink beverages during class

- Not talk, talk back or act improperly during class

AFJROTC CLASSROOM CONDUCT AND PROCEDURES

- Be in your seat prior to the tardy bell ringing

- Keep noise level to a minimum; class commander, operation officer, first sergeant, SASI and ASI will be listened to with respect and silence.

- Flight commanders, put your flight at attention then parade rest as the tardy bell rings.

- Flight Commanders should get to class as soon as possible in order to check the bulletin board and meet with the SASI or ASI. TheFlight Commander will have two to three minutes to make the flight aware of any important information or announcements that are on the bulletin board or were discussed in the Corps Commander’s

Meeting, then the First Sgt will take attendance and fill out the attendance slip.

- Flight Commanders will then report to the SASI or ASI in their office that the class is ready for instruction. They will call their Flight to attention as the Instructor enters the classroom. The Instructor will tell the class, to take their seats and class will begin.

- At the end of the Class Period, (when the bell rings) the Flight Commander will call the class to attention then the SASI/ASI will dismiss the class.

PROMPTNESS IS AN OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAM AND CADETS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AT THEIR DESK BEFORE THE TARDY BELL RINGS.

MILITARY COURTESY

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- Say Yes Sir/Mam or No Sir/Mam to Instructors or Cadets that out rank you when appropriate.

Cadets are expected to conduct themselves in an honorable manner. A breech of honor is ground for dismissal from the Cadet Corps.

AS A MINIMUM, ANY CADET DISCIPLINED BY THE SCHOOL WILL LOSE THEIR LEADERSHIP POSITION.

NO CADET WILL CHEW GUM, EAT CANDY OR FOOD, OR DRINK A BEVERAGE IN THE AFJROTC CLASSROOM OR IN OTHER CLASSES WHILE IN UNIFORM. Cadets will not bring any of the above items into the AFJROTC classroom, without prior permission.

CADET MERIT AND DEMERIT SYSTEM

-The purpose of the Cadet Merit and Demerit system is to provide feedback to cadets that act in an outstanding manner or an inappropriate manner or break school or cadet rules or regulations. Upon instruction from an authorized person (SASI,ASI) for behavior,SASI/ASI or cadet officer for cadet Corp activities) a cadet will be given a properly filled out “gig slip” to reflect the number of merits /demerits given. Activity gig slips will be placed in the gig box (in classroom) Gig slips should be placed in the box no later than two school days after the infraction. The group C/CMSGT will post slips on a weekly basis and maintain a file of all activity gig slips. Failure of a cadet to place a gig slip in the box will constitute a violation of the cadet honor code which could result in disenrollment in the Corp.

- Merits and Demerits may be given to any cadet by the Corps Commander, Vice Corps Commander, Quality Control, CMSGT, or Squadron Commanders. Flight Commanders may only give demerits (no merits) to members of their flight.

Excessive gigs indicate that a cadet is not conducting him or herself in a proper manner. Your conduct is your responsibility.

If a cadet wishes to remove demerits from his/her record he/she may volunteer to work off the demerits by performing school cleanup duty as a community service project. One day each month will be set aside for those who either wish to work off demerits or gain merits.

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Saluting at Ridgeland High School

Cadets will salute all cadet officers that are senior in rank to the individual cadet. Saluting will only take place in areas that are not designated as “no hat” areas, and only when both cadets are in uniform.

Cadets will salute any military officer when in uniform out doors.

Cadets will salute the SASI out doors regardless of the wear of a uniform.

Cadets will salute the SASI and/or ASI when reporting to the SASI or ASI.

General Policy for Ridgeland High School’s AFJROTC Program

Sexual harassment in any form is prohibited within the AFJROTC Program at Ridgeland High School. Complaints should be made to the SASI or ASI.

Hazing in any form is prohibited within any aspect of the AFJROTC Program at Ridgeland High School. There is no initiation into the AFJROTC program. Complaints should be made to the SASI or ASI.

CHAPTER FIVE

ACADEMICS AND GRADING FORMULA

The AFJROTC course is divided into Academics, Leadership, and Drill and Physical Training (PT). Academics comprise 40% of your grade, Leadership comprises 40% of your grade and Drill/PT comprises 20% of the grade. Your classroom/corps behavior and participation makes up 5% of your Leadership grade.

It is the cadets’ responsibility to make sure that they make up any missed work or a test.

If you are going to be absent for an extended period of time, arrangements can be made so that you will be able to accomplish all course objectives. Please talk to the instructors about any situation when you become aware of it. Cadets are expected to act in a responsible manner and talk to instructors about any academic problems. Do not wait until it is too late for help.

AFJROTC GRADING FORMULA

Grades for the AFJROTC program will be computed using the following formula: 40/40/20

Example 9 - week grade for a cadet in good standing

Cadet had an academic average of 80%, a leadership grade of 90% and a drill/pt grade of 100%

Academic average (40% of grade) 80X2 =160

Leadership average (40 % of grade) 90X 2 = 180

Drill/Pt average (20% of grade) 100X 1 = 100

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440 /5 = 88 final JROTC grade

(At the end of each semester, cadets who are not exempt from final exam will be given an exam that will count as 20% of the semester grade.)

-The Academic test average is an average of your academic test grades.

-The Leadership average is an average of your leadership test and activities.

-Drill/PT is an average of your participation in drill and your PT test score

Participation is a subjective appraisal of your participation and conduct in the classroom, corps projects, and at school.

- The grade for the nine-week grading period is the numerical grade arrived at by adding the three categories together and applying the Ridgeland High School grading scale.

GRADING FORMULA FOR PROBATIONARY STUDENTS

Probationary students will not participate in drill, uniform inspections, co-curricula activities and field trips. As a result their Drill/ PT grade and their Leadership grade will reflect their condition. (A zero will be given for drill, and a zero will be given for each part of leadership that deals with uniforms and inspections)