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

Happy 78th Birthday United States Air Force🎉🎉🎉 First Year Cadets celebrated the event by being officially inducted into the Raider Squadron by reciting the Cadet Creed. Furthermore, Cadets and family sang Happy Birthday, ate an entire cake 😱😱😱 and enjoyed some fellowship. What a way to spend a Thursday afternoon👍👍👍 RAIDERS…Fly! Fight! Win!

News and Events Part 2

CONGRATULATIONS 🎊🎈🎉 Cadet Cruz for earning Top overall Finisher in his age group during the Travis Manion 9/11 Hero’s Run. This marks the second time Cadet Cruz has participated in this event and the first time coming home an award winner. The RAIDER Squadron is proud of you and your achievement. You represent your school, community, and family with class, honor and a commitment to excellence 👏👏👏 Job extremely well done💥💥💥RAIDERS…Fly! Fight! Win!

News and Events Part 3

Today, the Raider Squadron had the opportunity to listen to and interact with a true American hero. Fred Haise, Apollo 13 Astronaut spoke to cadets from Mapleton and Aurora Central High School about his journey to becoming an astronaut as well as his experience aboard the Apollo 13 module. From 11 -17 April 1970, all Americans were tuned into the Apollo 13 disaster and praying for a safe return of Jim Lovell, Colorado’s very own Jack Swigert, and today’s guest of honor, Fred Haise. Thousands of support personnel and three brave, remarkable men came together and solved what was at that time, the biggest mechanical issue ever faced within NASA. Through courage, ingenuity, unrivaled determination and a whole lot of luck, Fred Haise and his two mission partners landed safely in the Pacific. Also this afternoon, Mr Jaren Morgan, STEAM 4 SPACE program spoke to cadets about NASA Mission Patches and the intricacies about how each patch is designed. There is meaning and symbolism that reflects the crew, its mission, and if necessary, outside factors. These patches aren’t just thrown together…they take months or even years to get through the approval process. End result? Take a look at some pictured today. They are pieces of history that carry with them a tremendous amount of meaning and mission accomplishment. RAIDERS…Fly! Fight! Win!

News and Events Part 4

Those old enough to remember September 11, 2001, know exactly what they were doing when our nation was attacked. It’s been 24 years since that dreadful day and each year since, communities around the US pay special tribute to those who lost their lives in the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and on Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The Mapleton Raider Squadron in conjunction with Mapleton Public Schools, held its annual 9/11 Ceremony to honors those who perished. In attendance was the Mayor of Thornton, Jan Kulmann, our Superintendent, Mr Crawford and many other school and local officials across military, fire and police. THANK YOU 🙏🙏🙏Thornton Police for the Color Guard and Thornton Fire for the ringing of the bell and for playing of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. This is a world class event led by world class leaders…stay vigilant, safe and always remember those we’ve lost. Continued blessings Mapleton Community 🙏🙏🙏. RAIDERS…Fly! Fight! Win!

News and Events Part 5

What makes AFJROTC special is the time we spend with family and friends. In the Raider Realm, family is our foundation and as most strong families do, we celebrate in style and with a bunch of food. Tonight, we celebrated our dessert social as well as played a little pool. Thank you, Raider Squadron, for showing up and showing out.👏👏👏 The desserts were delicious and on point. RAIDERS…Fly! Fight! Win!