HOPE – The Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps unit at Hope High School has been named an Outstanding Organization Unit, one of only 77 high school units nationwide to receive the designation.
The unit citation was presented in ceremonies before the Hope Public School Board by HHS Principal Bill Hoglund.
Hoglund said the designation showed the dedication of the unit to advance its status among the 867 AJROTC programs in high schools across the country.
“This award recognizes Air Force JROTC units that have performed above normal expectations, and that have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their school and community while meeting the Air Force JROTC mission of producing better citizens for America,” a statement from the office of Colonel Bobby C. Woods, Jr., director, Headquarters Air Force JROTC, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, said.
The personal commendation from Col. Woods emphasized the work ethic of the unit.
“The Outstanding Organization Award recognizes the hard work and accomplishments of the cadets, the contributions of the instructors as mentors of the cadets, and the support of the school and community,” he said. “The Outstanding Organization Award is limited to our top units within Air Force JROTC.”
In his commendation letter, Woods asked Hope Superintendent Bobby Hart to “pass along my congratulations to your team on a job well done.”
The award recognizes the unit’s dedication to the objectives of JROTC to educate and train high school cadets in citizenship and life skills; promote community service; instill responsibility, character, and self-discipline through character education; and to provide air and space instruction.
“It’s an indication that the cadets are moving in the right direction,” AJROTC Aerospace Science Instructor MSgt. (Ret.), USAF, Kenneth Funchess said. “Their goal is to become a Distinguished Unit organization; and, hopefully, this will be the year for it.”
