News

AFJROTC tours Team Dover

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ashlin Federick
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  More than 74 cadets from the Summer Leadership School Air Force JROTC program received a tour here June 16-19, 2014.

The program was made up of five different schools in Delaware: William Penn High School, Caesar Rodney High School, Middletown High School, Smyrna High School and Dover High School. The program is an extracurricular activity that JROTC uses as an additional training event for students who want to continue their experience over the summer.

"I think [Summer Leadership School] is a great addition to the JROTC program for Delaware," said Maj. (Ret) Steven Michael, William Penn High School senior aerospace science instructor. "It gets all of the Delaware units together and we are able to more closely standardize our programs so they start to look the same."

The cadets toured a variety of areas on base. Their first stop was with the base Honor Guard where they were taught the different ceremonies performed, including how to fold a flag properly. Next, they visited the Ravens where they learned fighting techniques and why the Raven's protection is important to DAFB's cargo jets. They also toured the Isochronal Inspection Dock where they got to walk on top of an aircraft and learn about its capabilities and the mission of ISO.

The cadets continued their tour of Dover AFB with stops at the 436th Operations Group's Aircrew Flight Equipment and the Air Traffic Control complex. At AFE they received an in-depth aircrew flight equipment familiarization briefing along with a taste of some Air Force discipline from former Military Training Instructor Staff Sgt. Clayton Morris, 436th Operations Support Squadron AFE quality assurance inspector.

Morris said AFE has a no fail mission and in their world they are in charge of safeguarding aircrew when things go wrong. He said cadets need to understand the mission should they choose to commission or enlist in the profession of arms. He also said the cadets could be responsible for other people's lives and millions of dollars in government assets.

"I feel that I was able to get my point across to the cadets as well as demonstrate to them the importance of self-discipline, rule following and attention to detail," said Morris. "I made it clear to them that they were involved with an institution that was much larger than themselves, and that they represent all service members past and present and not to bring shame and discredit upon the military."

After the briefing and a tour of the AFE facility, the cadets moved on to the ATC complex. Here they toured the ATC tower, the Radar Approach Control, and the ATC simulator. They even got to witness a C-5M Super Galaxy and a C-17 Globemaster III practice touch-and-go landings.

Jasmine Bagley, Caesar Rodney High School cadet, said it was interesting touring the base because she was able to learn about Airmen's jobs and what they do for a living.

"My favorite part of the tour was being in the flight tower, watching the planes come in and learning about the traffic controls," said Bagley. "I joined JROTC because I wanted to join the military and learn what leadership was like. The tour further educated me about the Air Force."

Michael said he thought it was beneficial that the summer leadership school toured Dover AFB because they learned about what the real Air Force is doing, what they are flying and how they are moving missions.

"I think it is beneficial because we are an Air Force unit," said Michael. "We study Air Force history and the science of flight and Dover AFB is all of those things in a nut shell. It gets the point across to the cadets that it is important to pay attention to detail and use your education opportunities now so you are able to join the Air Force team. Joining the Air Force should not be their last choice; it should be their first choice."