Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp

Editor's Note: The Scottsdale, Ariz., VFW Post 3513 Auxiliary is proud and honored to present the fine young cadets at Poston Butte High School in San Tan Valley, Ariz., who comprise our adopted ROTC corp. The Auxiliary hopes to continue to support them monetarily as well as in other ways they may request.

The Mission Of AFJROTCC

Poston Butte High School's Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (AFJROTC) was started in July of 2017. It is one of over 890 Air Force units around the world with over 120,000 high school aged cadets. Our mission is to develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community and we achieve this by teaching the Air Force Core Values of Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do.

These values help our students understand that they are here to help make the world a better place to live in.

Friendship And Community

Students attend five days a week and learn about aviation, life skills, leadership and physical education. They also have the opportunities to attend extra-curricular activities after school. Our students are involved in Drill and Ceremony, Community service events, additional physical training, rocketry, model club, flying a simulator and many other items.

These clubs help the students to form long lasting friendships and do things for the community.

Major John Napier

Major John Napier is the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor (SASI) here at Poston Butte High School. He started at the end of March 2019. He was an Instructor for many years at the college level for the Senior Reserve Officer Training (SROTC).

Maj Napier is in charge of teaching the aviation subjects to our students and he is also our resident Physical Fitness expert! We are very fortunate to have him teaching here!

MSgt. Debbie Melton

The Major's partner in teaching is MSgt Debbie Melton and she is the Aerospace Science Instructor(ASI). This is her sixth year of teaching JROTC and her second here at Poston Butte. She teaches leadership, communication and life skills, such as resumes and balancing a checkbook. She also makes sure all the uniforms are issued and fit correctly.

Students Find Common Ground

As said earlier, this is our second year here and we are working hard to get our program to be one of the best in Arizona. Our students come from all different types of backgrounds and have found a common ground in this program.

We are working hard to get more to join us and further our goals in making better citizens!