AFJROTC makes up more than 150 students in our community, with over two-thirds of them at Coffee County Central High School. It is a cadet-run program, meaning the students are responsible for almost everything that happens, with the help and guidance of the booster club and the instructors. The mission of AFJROTC is to develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community. This means that every cadet should have good character overall and not just for his or her reputation. We learn that it is our character that defines us and not what others think of us.  Our character is what we do habitually.

All cadets are expected to live by the Air Force Honor Code of: “I will not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do.”  With higher standards to meet, cadets in this program are on their way to becoming outstanding, self-sufficient citizens that will help build their future. Cadets in the program, especially the leaders on staff, are to lead by example and help one another. It is not merely a club, but an organization where cadets are also expected to live by the corps values of the USAF. These include: “Integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.”

TN-792, the Coffee County Central High School AFJROTC sector, is very involved throughout the community, and most work done by them is overlooked. This small town group has big goals on community and personal levels. These goals affect the corps, the school, and the broader community at large. TN-792 learns by doing to reach their goals and make the corps as a whole successful. ACT scores are important to work on to meet those goals and standards.

Community service is another very important aspect of the corps, and cadets have many opportunities to get credit. There are many after-school activities throughout the week in which they may participate. One of these is “Helping Hands” where cadets stay and help teachers throughout the school with cleaning or other services they require. This not only provides cadets with community service hours but a good standing reputation for themselves. Cadets also have the chance to participate in a JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl, which is competitive. The corps has other activities in which cadets may get involved such as Colorguard, Cyber Patriot, Stellar Explorers, and Air Commando. All of these are simple and fun ways for cadets to get involved in our community, to grow mentally, physically, and as leaders. Again, this is a “cadet run” program and all these activities are led by the senior cadets. Each activity is basically a leadership laboratory where we all learn by doing, but the leaders must plan, organize and then ensure the work gets done.

Last year (2017-2018), the corps had an inspection from the AF headquarters. For the first time ever, TN-792 achieved the Distinguished Unit Award with Merit, a huge goal that was finally met after the years of hard work put in by the cadets and instructors! Manchester, Tennessee’s AFJROTC Corps continue to strive for excellence in all they do and will not be slowing down anytime soon!

-Sebastien Tarin is the AFJROTC Public Affairs Officer at Coffee County Central High School.