Air Force Junior ROTC

Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) is an Air Force-sponsored life skills program for all 9^th-12^th grade students. The Colorado (CO-20101) Cadet Squadron of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) was established in 2010. The Air Force Junior ROTC curriculum includes aerospace-related academic instruction and leadership training, as well as the development of personal potential, self-confidence, and communication skills.

Mapleton’s program is led by a Senior Aerospace Science Instructor and Leadership Education Instructor. Both leaders are retired Air Force personnel with extensive backgrounds in professional education and Air Force training. The cadet squadron is managed and operated by cadet-commissioned and non-commissioned officers. Through the cadet organization, cadets learn leadership skills and how to direct activities.

Mapleton’s Air Force JROTC is open to all high school students. Interested eighth-grade students are encouraged to speak to their school director about possible participation.

About Us

Objectives

The overall objectives of the AFJROTC program

The cadets to develop:

An appreciation of the basic elements and requirements for national security.
Respect for and an understanding of the need for constituted authority in a democratic society.
Patriotism and an understanding of their personal obligation to contribute toward national security.
Habits of orderliness and precision.
A high degree of personal honor, self-reliance, and leadership.
Broad-base knowledge of the aerospace age and fundamental aerospace doctrine.
Basic military skills.
A knowledge of, and appreciation for the traditions of the Air Force.
Pursuing higher educational goals or skills.
An interest in the Air Force as a career.

During the school year, there are 2 school goals, 2 community goals, and 2 cadet goals. One cadet goal must be academic, one school goal should be recruiting/retention-based, and one community goal should be focused on service.

Core Values

Integrity First: Integrity is the willingness to do what is right even when no one is looking. It is the ability to hold together and properly regulate all the elements of a personality. It also covers courage, responsibility, accountability, and self-respect.

Service before Self: Service before self tells us that professional duties take precedence over personal desires. At the very least it includes rule following, respect for others, discipline, self-control, and faith in the system.

Excellence in All We Do: Excellence in all we do directs us to develop a sustained passion for continuous improvement and innovation that will propel the Air Force into a long-term, upward spiral of accomplishment and performance. This applies to, but is not limited to, the following areas: Product/service excellence, personal excellence, community excellence, resources excellence, and operations excellence.

*More information on the Core Values can be found in “The Little Blue Book” – The United States Air Force Core Values book.

Mission Statement

CONGRATULATIONS RAIDER SQUADRON🎉🎉🎉 on earning the Distinguished Unit Award with Merit for 2024-2025. Your hard work and dedication to excellence, contributed greatly to our overall success. To all our parents and guardians, your support was the backbone of this organization. Finally, "THANK YOU" MPS leadership for what you do for us and the entire community. RAIDERS...Fly! Fight! Win!

News and Events Part 1

Bolder Boulder team getting led out by Cadet J Rodriquez as the team is prepping for the 2025 race. Cadets enjoyed some TCBY for completing a 7-mile run on Tuesday and a 2-mile run on Thursday…leading up to the big race on Memorial Day. In the remaining photos, the Raider Squadron ran the Bolder Boulder for the 12th year. It’s a tradition todays Raiders gladly embrace and truly enjoy…or is it the Five Guys Burgers and Fries at the end…Maybe we’ll never know 🤣🤣🤣. Any who, this will be the last post of the school year. See you all back in August 2025. RAIDERS…Fly! Fight! Win!

News and Events Part 2

The Raider Squadron celebrated the year's achievements with one final pizza party and pool tournament. A huge "SHOUTOUT" goes to Leana and Fred Zobel who provided the pizza as well as the other RPAT family members who provided the desserts, chips, and drinks. Also, Blanca Serrano and Claudine Deherrera who set-up this event👏👏👏. What an amazing celebration for an amazing group of cadets💯💯💯.

During the party, an announcement was made of significant importance. Cadet V. Hernandez was chosen to serve as the Raider Squadron Corp Commander for 2025-2026. Cadet Hernandez is an exceptional leader and the right individual to take the Raider Squadron to the next level. Congratulations on your PROMOTION🎉🎉🎉

After the party, Raider Cadets participated in our 1st Annual Pool Tournament. The final two cadets standing were Cadet C. Perez and A. Lucero with Cadet Lucero pulling ahead for the win on the 8-ball.

Finally, "THANK YOU" Craig Snider (Pool aficionado and all-around great guy) for providing the pool tables and Pinball Machines for our cadets and their family members to enjoy. Ain't no party like a Raider Party, because a Raider Party is LIT! RAIDERS...Fly! Fight! Win!

News and Events Part 3

History was made at the Rocky Mountain Western Drill Classic🎉🎉🎉 This past Saturday, the Raider Drill Team placed 5th out of 51 teams. The Raider Team was the highest rated drill team in the state of Colorado and the highest rated Air Force Drill Team on the National level. 🔥🔥🔥

This marks the first time in program history the Raider Drill Team earned "Top 5" designation...truly remarkable! Below is the trophy breakdown:

Top 5 Designation🏆
1st Place: 5280 Color Guard🏅
3rd Place: Unarmed Exhibition🏅
4th Place: Inspection🏅

Raider Drill Cadets represented themselves, school and community with class and honor. They are the epitome of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in all we do...Our USAF Core Values!

It's been an amazing year filled with many firsts. First time ever earning Grand Champion designation as the Sam Solano Drill Meet. First time ever placing 2nd and 3rd at the Mitchell Marauder and Air Academy High School Drill Meets. Raider Drill Cadets are the most motivated and disciplined cadets within MPS...they are the face of MPS and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. The entire MPS community is proud of what you've accomplished...you've served your community well! 💯💯💯

The following members are part of the MPS Raider Drill Team:

Academy High: Cadets Aragon & Almanza
MEC: Cadets Romero & Lucero
MESA: Cadets Miera, Rimbert & Rodriquez
YORK: Cadets Valdivia & Sanchez
GLA: Soto

THANK YOU, Raider Drill Team, for making this a year to remember...Onward and upward to the 2025-2026 drill season...RAIDERS...Fly! Fight! Win!