Air Force ROTC Instructor

Overview

Air Force Junior ROTC relies on Aerospace Science Instructors. AFJROTC is a full program that may extend beyond the regular school day, with Leadership Development Requirements after hours. LDRs are experiential activities such as drill teams, academic bowl teams, and marksmanship teams.

Each AFJROTC program must be staffed with a minimum of two instructors, typically one officer and one enlisted instructor. Officer instructors have at least a bachelor’s degree; over 90% hold master’s degrees with backgrounds in teaching and program management. Enlisted instructors are noncommissioned officers with at least an associate degree; many hold bachelor’s degrees or higher. All enlisted instructors have leadership, administration, drill and ceremony, teaching, and youth experience.

Instructors must exhibit the highest levels of conduct while serving as AFJROTC instructors, following DoD, Air Force, and AFJROTC instructions. They supervise cadets participating in official AFJROTC unit events, community service events, and other unit activities that enhance the program, such as drill competitions and curriculum-in-action trips.

Instructors are involved in their communities, teach AFJROTC aerospace science and leadership education curricula, liaise with civilian agencies in the aerospace field, and perform career and performance counseling for cadets. They devote themselves to cadets in the classroom and during LDR activities, contributing to a program recognized locally and nationally.

To successfully serve as an AFJROTC instructor, an applicant must be able to:

• Conduct Academic Classes:
  Prepare for and teach 45- to 90-minute periods, up to 4–6 periods per day. Classes may include 30 or more students of diverse backgrounds. Requires organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills and patience.
• Lead Before- and/or After-School
  
  Activities:
  
  Coordinate and lead activities such as physical training, academic clubs, rocketry teams, marksmanship, drill instruction, and drill sequences; strong organizational, team-building, and stamina skills required.
• Lead Off-Campus Events:
  Plan field trips, visits to government agencies and military installations, and parades; requires organization, stamina, and composure under stress.
• Be an Ambassador of the Air Force:
  Maintain a professional image and appearance; conduct oneself professionally in speech and action.
• Complete any additional state and/or local teacher certification or continuing education requirements. Any additional certification must be accomplished at no expense to the Air Force.
• Incorporate AFJROTC-approved interactive learning software/hardware with instruction, and have knowledge of curriculum planning, Air Force programs, drill and ceremonies, and educational administration (including tests and measurements). Responsibilities for academic, administrative, logistical, financial support, and after-school activities will be shared by all instructors.
• Complete all mandatory AFJROTC instructor training.