AFJROTC Newsletter - December 2024

🏆 Congratulations to the North Branch Vikings AFJROTC Drill Teams! 🏆

Our cadets showcased their skills and teamwork at the Devil Dog Drill Competition hosted by Como Park High School in Saint Paul this weekend. They competed against seven Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps JROTC units from Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Our Color Guard, Regulation, and Exhibition Drill Teams combined their efforts to secure an impressive 3rd place overall finish for the unarmed competition!

Throughout the semester, students have developed leadership skills centered around an ongoing survival scenario where they are stranded on a desert island. This month's exercise involved retrieving supplies dropped from a rescue helicopter. Unfortunately, these supplies landed in a treacherous area requiring creative problem solving, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork.

Check out the newest aviation-focused co-curricular programs. They are open to all AFJROTC students, especially those interested in civilian or military aviation careers.

The Air Force SnoCross team will visit the High School and give a presentation to all interested students. If weather permits, they will also demonstrate their skills and equipment on the North side of the High School.

Mars demonstrated exceptional leadership by taking charge of our logistics program after the recent unit inspection, ensuring all uniforms and equipment are properly tracked. She also led Zulu Flight members through a challenging Group Leadership Problem, successfully retrieving survival supplies and rescuing a stranded teammate. Mars's dedication and leadership exemplify the values of our AFJROTC program. Great work, Mars!

We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of the North Branch American Legion, who have been long-time champions of our JROTC program. Their recent generous donation of $5,000 will go a long way in helping us defray the costs of sending our drill teams to the National Competition in Daytona Beach this May.

Your commitment to our cadets and their success makes a profound difference, and we are proud to have such strong community partners backing our mission. Thank you for helping our cadets take their skills and teamwork to the national stage!

A big shoutout to Ms. Tessmer for her dedication to understanding our program and finding solutions to scheduling challenges. Thanks to her efforts, every interested student can join the class that works best for their schedule. Additionally, she made sure every session is just the right size for an engaging, hands-on learning experience. Ms. Tessmer, you’ve truly made a difference!