Hello AFJROTC family! My name is Cadet Elianna Bottom and I am the Public Affairs Officer for KY-20003. I joined this program my sophomore year of high school at the rank of Cadet Airman. Over my two years of being a AFJROTC cadet, I feel as though I've grown substantially as a person. Not only have I matured, I've learned many important skills and participated in many events within my community. I'm beyond grateful I found this community of cadets and instructors and I’m even more excited for the next school year and all the experiences it will bring as a cadet leader. As the Public Affairs Officer, our team will bring you all the news and events of what's happening with our unit throughout the year. We hope you enjoy and become involved in this great program.
Air Force JROTC News
Maj. Rowe and MSgt Davis attended the Advanced Instructor Course at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama July 15-19. At the course, they received deeper insight into benefits available to cadets in and out of the classroom as well as preparing cadets to be career ready during and after high school. They also learned how to better track cadet progress in the Air Force database called WINGS, creating curriculum for our STEM programs and preparing Juniors and Seniors for ACT and ASVAB testing.
A True Pathway to Career Ready
As part of our continuing growth as a unit, it is our goal to make sure that the cadets get the most benefits from AFJROTC. For NCHS and TNHS we can now offer Health & PE, Science, Social Studies as core credit required for graduation. Along with AFJROTC 1,2,3,4 and the Cadet Leader Course as electives!! We are working with BHS to get those cadets with the same benefit!
In preparation for the start of the new school year, Cadet leadership attended COTS (Cadet Officer Training School), a 3 day course intended to sharpen cadets mentoring skills and make them more aware of the jobs they’ve taken on for the upcoming school year. During this time, cadets ate together, worked out together and learned more about each other.
Announcements 📣
The following cadets need to contact Maj Rowe to receive their uniforms before the 2024-25 school year begins if possible.
Owen Hayes, Abrianna Harris, Lily Geary, John Brock and Frankie Harrison.
Dates to remember
In light of the 24-25 school year, cadets and instructors have been planning many upcoming events. Events include: August 20th (First Staff Meeting), September 13-14th (American Legion Bingo), September 18th (a Physical Fitness Competition being held at Nelson County High School with other JROTC Units from various locations for the celebration of the Air Force's 77th Birthday). November 11th Veterans Day events
* We need parent volunteers to help us with after school events, field trips and both events in September and in November. For more information please contact Maj Rowe at jason.rowe@nelson.kyschools.us *
What's new for SY 2024-2025?
This year will look vastly different than it has in years past. We are celebrating the addition of accepting 8th graders into the program. These incoming 1st year cadets will have the ability to acquire both Health and P.E. credits, both of which are required by the state of Kentucky to graduate. In addition, first year cadets are not required to meet the standard Air Force JROTC grooming requirements. Instead cadets are only asked to wear T-shirts provided by our Logistics Officer. 2nd year cadets are required to uphold standards by wearing polos and 3rd and 4th year cadets will be assigned the appropriate uniforms. Previous reserve cadets will be promoted accordingly.
Upholding the Standard
Active cadets will work, gain recognition and earn uniforms based on a tiered system and activities through their AFJROTC journey. This will include increased expectations and responsibility as they grow and mature through the program. As part of that growth, we instill a sense of pride and belonging within a team environment. When a cadet puts on a uniform, they represent something much bigger than themselves. They represent a legacy of Air Force airmen from the past, present and future. They represent themselves with pride and distinction. Grooming and uniform standards are met to help cadets build themselves by gaining self-confidence, self-discipline and healthy habits that will serve them well for a lifetime.
The Uniform Tiers
1st year cadets: There are no hair, shaving, fingernails or piercing standards for 1st year cadets. Cadets will be required to wear the issued T-shirt on uniform days with long pants with no holes. Shoes must be closed toe with back. No slides, crocs, sandals or flip flops will be allowed.
2nd year cadets: will meet hair, shaving, fingernails and piercing standards as outlined in the cadet guide and AFI 36-2903. Cadets will wear issued Polo shirts on required uniform days with long pants with no holes. Shoes must be closed toe with back. No slides, crocs, sandals or flip flops will be allowed.
3rd year cadets: will meet hair, shaving, fingernails and piercing standards as outlined in the cadet guide and AFI 36-2903. Cadets will wear the issued Air Force Blues or OCP uniform on required uniform days. Shoes will be highly polished and all acruments worn correctly
4th year Cadets: will meet hair, shaving, fingernails and piercing standards as outlined in the cadet guide and AFI 36-2903. Cadets will wear the issued Air Force Blues or OCP uniform on required uniform days. Shoes will be highly polished and all acruments worn correctly.
5th year cadets: will meet hair, shaving, fingernails and piercing standards as outlined in the cadet guide and AFI 36-2903. Cadets will wear the issued Air Force Blues or OCP uniform on required uniform days. Shoes will be highly polished and all acruments worn correctly.
Leadership positions and Special Tactics Teams: If a cadet is either in a leadership position or on a special team such as color Guard, Raider, etc. They will wear the required uniform for that event.
For more detailed information please visit the 24-25 Cadet Guide.
Taking the next step
Former cadets Delonte McBroom and Emma Lovelace shipped out this month (7/10/24 and 7/16/24) to their respective military branches. We wish them the best of luck.
Back to school
Bardstown City Schools start August 1st and Nelson County Schools start August 14th. We will hit the ground running as soon as school begins. Cadets have a lot of planning and events to plan and execute. Exciting stuff will be in their hands!
Special Events
- August: Parent Meeting (Date TBD) & Initial AFJROTC Fundraiser Kick-off (Date TBD)
- September: Bingo Fundraiser (Sep 13/14)
- Physical Fitness Challenge (Sep 18)
- October: Bingo Fundraiser (Oct 11/12) & AFJROTC MWR Event (Date TBD)
- November: Veterans Day (Nov 11)
Service events
On September 18th, during the school day, AFJROTC KY-20003 will be hosting a physical fitness competition in honor of the Air Force's 77th birthday (this will be an all day event at Nelson County High School). All cadets will be involved in some way or form. Those cadets currently enrolled in the unit that choose to not participate in the actual physical fitness events will be involved in some other way, via drink stations, lunch, setting up or planning / volunteering. 2 to 3 other high school JROTC units will be participating as well. Also in attendance will be members of the Kentucky Air National Guard, and other service members representing the various military branches as well as other local community partners.
SASI Section
Hello all current / future cadets & families. I want to start by thanking our new Public Affairs Officer Senior Cadet Elianna Bottom for working on our monthly newsletter to better inform our community on everything AFJROTC Detachment KY-20003 has done, is currently doing or planning for the near future. Our goal is to collaboratively make our program better for current / incoming cadets. Without a doubt, this endeavor will need total buy-in from cadets, families, school / district administration, community partners as well as from both instructors. In the meantime, if you are not getting answers to any questions you might have...please feel free to reach out (jason.rowe@nelson.kyschools.us). MSgt Davis and myself are looking forward to a great school year which will include students from 3 different High Schools & 3 different Middle Schools!!! R/ Maj Rowe
Messages from MSgt Davis
Greetings, I am MSgt Craig Davis (Ret.). I am your Aerospace Science Instructor for Air Force JROTC KY-20003 and I am excited for this coming year! We have LOTS of new programs and events coming this year to help our cadets learn, grow and become the best possible version of themselves. My goal is to help guide cadets to achieve whatever goals, aspirations and dreams they have through hard work, determination, confidence and self-discipline!