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.

News and Events Part 1

History was made this weekend🙌 This past Saturday, the Mapleton Raider Drill Team earned Commanders Cup Designation (Grand champion) at the Sam Solano Drill Meet in Pueblo, Colorado. This marks the first time in program history the Drill Team earned a Commanders Cup designation🏆...truly remarkable! The team beat out 10 teams from Colorado Springs and Denver. In fact, the Raider Squadron was the only USAF team to compete and beat all the other Army teams.

Below is the trophy breakdown:
Overall, Commander’s Cup Winner🏆
1st Place: Color Guard🏅
2nd Place: Unarmed Inspection🏅
2nd Place: Unarmed Exhibition🏅

The Raider Squadron took nine (9) Cadets to this drill meet and earned top prize. Cadets were remarkable and marched with extreme precision. We were fortunate to have a few families make the trip and witness history being made.

This team is truly special and with one meet to go (Rocky Mountain Drill Classic), work begins to bring home a national award. Drill Cadets will work hard to make this a reality👏👏👏 RAIDERS...Fly! Fight! Win!

News and Events Part 2

Filed in the mental folder “You might never know when you need it,” Raiders spent their Saturday at Estes Park learning the art of “winter survival!” Cadets built shelters, navigated the landscape in snowshoes, and practiced basic winter survival practices. In all, Raiders are more prepared to handle the riggers of being stranded in a winter’s environment. RAIDERS…Fly! Fight! Win!

News and Events Part 3

Two drill meets, two top three finishes. Today, the Raider Drill Team finished 3rd out of 10 school at the Front Range Invitational Drill Meet. C/Capt Miera led the Raiders to a 1st place finish in Armed Regulation and a 2nd place finish in Inspection. Additionally, C/Lt Col Aragon led her Color Guard to a 4th place finish. THANK YOU🙏 Academy High for putting on a good drill meet, we look forward to 2026. RAIDERS…Fly! Fight! Win!

News and Events PART 4

“If you’re going to go, you might as well REPRESENT!” That’s exactly what the Raider Drill Team did on Saturday. For the first time in Squadron history, RAIDERS earned Commanders Cup Runner Up (2nd place overall) at the Mitchell Marauders Drill Meet. The Raiders tied with Air Academy High with the tiebreaker being the Unarmed Regulation Drill Sequence. The head judge felt Air Academy was better and as a result, beat our Raiders by 1-point. What a remarkable turnaround from last year’s season and a wonderful way to start 2025. Our Raider Drill Team is special and just getting started. Look out Air Academy…we are bringing the “HEAT” on 22 Feb at the Front Range Drill Meet. Raiders placed in the following categories: 1st Place Armed Regulation; 2nd Place inspection and Regulation and finally, 3rd Place Color Guard. Congratulations Commander Cup Runners Ups…RAIDERS…Fly! Fight! It feels so good to WIN!

NEWS & EVENTS PART 5

Many work hard and ultimately fall short. However, those who are mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally fit, find a way no matter what! That said, a Champion has risen like a Phoenix here in the Raider Squadron. Over the weekend, C/Maj Cabrera won the Colorado 4A Women's State Wrestling Championship. She breezed through early opponents and pinned her final opponent in 57 SECONDS💯 Cadet Cabrera went "BEAST MODE" and represented herself, family, program, school, and community with a "Champions Heart🎉" Excellent job, Cadet Cabrera...way to REPRESENT👏 RAIDERS...Fly! Fight! WIN!