Cadet of the month / C/A1C. Makayla Everett
New year, new cadet of the month. January's new cadet of the month is C/A1C Makalya Everett. During her time in JROTC, she has accomplished many great things, including countless community service events and LDR's. Of these include donating to her community's blessing box, contributing a significant amount in detachment fundraisers and bingo's, participating in the majority of Bardstown veterans day events, attending after school drill and color guard practice, participating in daily flag details and participating in a flag retirement ceremony hosted by American Legion Post#121. On top of all of this it's only her second involved year in this program as she was previously apart of the first generation of BMS reserve cadets. Her favorite hobbies include: playing video games, reading, and playing guitar. She is also a member of the BHS Strings and Orchestra, here she enjoys preforming her with her violin. Her favorite part of JROTC is the opportunities she can be involved in.
Air Force JROTC News:
The unit assessment is February 24th. Our second years will be tested on their ability to perform 30 count drill so, this month we have been really doubling down on the amount of time we've spent practicing drill in class. We're proud of the amount of work our cadets have been putting in!
New year, new curriculums, the start of 2025 presents new challenges and opportunities. This semester we are primarily focusing on teaching Aerospace Science and new, challenging PT curriculums.
Weekly schedules have changed, Mondays and Thursdays are academic days, Tuesdays are uniform inspection and drill, Wednesdays are PT days and afterschool drill practice/ reserves and Fridays are LDR lab days that consists of student lead stem teaching. Of these are drones, robotics, raiders, astronomy, model airplane building etc.
This month Maj, Rowe, C/Col. Vivian Blaine and C/Lt. Col. Andrew Thompson attended lunch with the Bardstown Optimist Club and presented the basic fundamentals of what JROTC is as well as our community impact and overall influence on our young people.
Coach Roe, member of the Optimist Club said this about the program:
Guest Speakers Highlight the Impact of AFJROTC Program
On January 27, 2025, Retired Air Force Major Jason Rowe and AFJROTC students Cadet (Col) Vivian Blaine from Thomas Nelson High School, and Cadet (Lt. Col) Andrew Thompson from Nelson County High School, were the guest speakers. Major Rowe is a twenty-seven-year Air Force Veteran. Cadet (Col) Vivian Blaine and Cadet (Lt. Col) Andrew Thompson plan to receive commissions and serve in multiple branches of the service. Major Rowe delivered an inspiring presentation on the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) program. His talk, titled “Building Tomorrow's Leaders Today,” emphasized the program’s role in shaping the future of young students through the core values of the Air Force: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
Major Rowe explained that the AFJROTC program is designed to inspire students to reach their fullest potential, preparing them for success in various pathways, whether they pursue higher education, military service, careers in the workforce, or entrepreneurship. He outlined the numerous benefits of joining AFJROTC, highlighting how the program offers a dynamic curriculum that fosters both academic and personal growth.
Students who enroll in AFJROTC gain access to unique opportunities, such as:
· High School Core & Elective Credits: Earn graduation credits while exploring engaging topics.
· College Scholarships: Compete for scholarships to make higher education more accessible.
· Military Service Academy Appointments: Receive preparation for attending prestigious academies.
Major Rowe also shared insights into the program’s engaging and practical curriculum, which equips students with essential skills and knowledge:
· Health & Physical Education: Promoting wellness and fitness.
· Drones and Robotics: Introducing cutting-edge technology.
· Life Skills Education: Preparing students for real-world challenges.
· Aerospace Science & Civics: Exploring space, aviation, and government.
· Competitive Fitness Teams: Encouraging teamwork and physical excellence.
· Intramural Competitions: Building camaraderie through friendly contests.
· Color Guard & Drill: Instilling discipline and precision.
· Financial Literacy: Teaching smart money management.
The AFJROTC program is available to students in grades 8-12 from Bardstown High School, Bardstown Middle School, Bloomfield Middle School, Nelson County High School, Old Kentucky Home Middle School, and Thomas Nelson High School.
Major Rowe emphasized that while AFJROTC is categorized as a Career Technical Education (CTE) program, its primary focus is on leadership development, character building, and life skills—not military recruitment. The program is designed to support cadets in achieving their
goals, whether they aspire to attend college, join the military, pursue a trade, or launch their own business.
The Air Force JROTC program provides students with a unique opportunity to improve academically, physically, and socially while living by a set of core values that will serve them well throughout their lives. For more information about this transformative program, students and parents are encouraged to contact their school’s JROTC office or visit the program’s website.
The Cadets expressed their appreciation for what participation in the AFJROTC program has done for their confidence and helped them mature. Major Rowe’s presentation was a powerful reminder of the incredible impact of AFJROTC, a program that truly embodies the mission of “Building Tomorrow's Leaders Today.”
A small group of cadets went bowling together to celebrate the incoming of the new year!
Reserve cadets:
This month, reserves have had the opportunity to participate in many team building activities and leadership lessons, here's a sneak peak at what reserve cadets experience each week.
Announcements 📣
This month our unit welcomed a new temporary instructor, MSgt. Wigginton! We're excited to embark on this new journey!
The following dates are TBD (to be determined) but are coming up!
1. Patton Museum 2. Field day 3. Batton Death March 4. End of the year Banquet 5. Military Ball
The last two Bingo Fundraiser dates are March 14th-15th from 5-9:30 pm.
The backboard is updated to the detachment rank structure for cadets to find their names and see their rank as well as where they're located within the Detachment.
At the end of this month (January 30th), we have an after-school recruiting event at BHS from 5-7 PM.
Tuesday, March 6th our unit will take a trip to the Kentucky Air National Guard.
Taking the next step
A life update from former cadet McBroom - "My life has been so fast paced since the week of high school graduation I signed up for the US NAVY when I graduated. I went into bootcamp July 10th, graduated bootcamp September 19th. Within a few days of graduation from bootcamp I went to A school, which is a school where you learn / earn the job you choose at MEPS. I Graduated “A school” late October. Went on 21 days leave. And now I am in Japan at my first command as a Logistics Specialist Seaman (LSSN) due to me taking all years of JROTC! It’s been such an action packed last year for me, and only time will tell how much I continue to grow as we go on in life! Forever grateful for the times I spent at bardstown and the memories / experiences I shared with all the ROTC instructors and students along side me. Will never forget those! Keep me in your thoughts always I’ll pop up and visit when I come back to the states on leave later this year! One thing I would like to pass on with everyone is just some words of encouragement and wisdom. Some doors will close, but just know there will always be open windows somewhere waiting, the only person who can judge you is yourself. So don’t think too much on other opinions! Make sure you get what you want out of life, and take care of yourself and build good, heavy on the GOOD relationships with others as well. Allow yourself room to learn as you get older and take accountability for your own wrongdoing. Remember, close mouths don’t get fed, and this applies to a lot of things! Think outside the box, and be unique in everything you do. Challenge yourself everyday, and be in competition with yourself not others! - "LSSN DELONTE MCBROOM signing out"
J-Factor Forms
Shout-out to Ayers by Anonymous: Thank-you for being a great leader and mentor to not just cadets but officers as well. Good luck on your journey to becoming a United States Marine.
Shout-out to Devine by Anonymous: You're dedication and resilience does not go unnoticed. You are a strong asset to our raiders team.
Shout-out to Frank Anderson by Anonymous: You take on the world with you're humor. Thank-you for being a strong source of morale for our detachment.
Shout-out to Hardin from Anonymous: I can see you trying to better yourself more everyday. Keep up the work, being a leader can be hard.
Shout-out to Owen Hayes from Anonymous: Be the best you can be. A strong leader knows when to take action. Keep your spirits high and keep up the work.
Shout-out to Cook by Anonymous: You're appreciation for the American flag is admirable.
Shout-out to Watson by Anonymous: Challenging yourself is the first step to taking the initiative of being a good leader. Keep pushing yourself, it will be worth it.
Shout-out to Abrianna Harris by Anonymous: You're doing great as a leader. I admire how much you've grown. Keep up the good work.
Shout-out to Thompson by Anonymous: You hold up this detachment almost single-handedly. Yet, your work goes unnoticed. Thank-you for working countless hours as a strong leader and officer.
Shout-out to Everett by Bottom: Thank-you for your work on the newsletter and being consistent with you're efforts. Your work never goes unappreciated.
Shout-out to Jett by Anonymous: Congratulations for being top pick for December's cadet of the month as well as putting on consistent, great work into reserves. I admire your passion and dedication.
Below is a letter from one of our cadets to Maj. Rowe about her experience so far in the program:
"Dear Maj. Rowe, you have impacted my life in such a positive way that the ROTC classroom has basically became my second home. When we went bowling for New Years I had so much fun! You give so many opportunities and are seriously one of my role models. Thank you for all that you do. Sincerely, Eliza Jones.
SASI Section
Happy New Year 2025!! After an extended holiday break, we have picked back up where we left off and are rolling as a program. MSgt Davis has done a great job with tweaking the 2nd Semester schedule and making it even more challenging and interesting for all of our cadets. We are back up to 6 PBE (Professional Based Experience) Cadet Leaders throughout the school day and have also welcomed an interim 3rd AFJROTC Instructor (for the next 3-months)....welcome aboard MSgt Lawrence Wigginton!!
Our program is less than 1-month out from the annual Unit Assessment conducted by our Regional Director and we are looking forward to the opportunity to showcase everything KY-20003 has accomplished on Monday February 24th. With that, over the next 4-weeks we will offer an extra day after school to improve in all areas of Color Guard and Drill execution. During our Unit Assessment, our entire Detachment will come together for a few hours for an Open Ranks Inspection, Color Guard and Drill Demonstration as well as give a Unit Mission Briefing to the Regional Director.
Finally, we are already discussing several key events in the final months of the 2024-2025 school year which potentially include: End-Of-Year Awards Banquet, Bataan Death March, Orienteering, Patton Museum, KYANG Trip, School Recruiting Visits, Field Day and more BINGO fun just to name a few. As always, MSgt Davis and myself can always be reached via email with any concerns or questions. Aim High!!
jason.rowe@nelson.kyschools.us
craig.davis@nelson.kyschools.us
Messages from MSgt Davis
Welcome to 2025! The cadets are in the process of planning multiple activities for the spring semester and have begun second semester with the Aerospace Science portion of the curriculum. On Friday's cadets are putting the knowledge and lessons learned into practice by participating in science labs that reinforce the curriculum.
Promotions testing happens starting on January 31st for our next generation leaders. And our seniors are beginning the planning of their next phase in life. Before you know it, graduation will be here! Let's make this the best spring yet!
Credits:
Jason Rowe, Craig Davis, Kristie Day, Makayla Everett