C-130 Flight Approved!

On April 15th, 40 of us will travel by chartered bus to Dobins AFB where we will fly in an Air Force C-130 Hercules. This is a rare opportunity that only three South Carolina units will receive this year. Our cadets will get to climb into the cockpit to see what the pilots do during an operational flight. The 30-minute flight will feature an aerial view of Atlanta. They will also have a chance to see some other Air Force aircraft on the ramp. Afterwards, we will get an Air National Guard presentation followed by a stop at the Mall of Georgia on the way home. It will certainly be an informative and fun day.

Florida Trip Instructions to Parents

We have worked really hard to arrange this trip to show our curriculum and expose our cadets to Air Force operations. We are sharing this trip with Blue Ridge AFJROTC to help with costs on transportation and lodging.

The listed primary cadets have been selected to go. They are all upper class cadets. The alternates are deserving freshmen. All (primaries and alternates) who are interested in going should turn in a $100 deposit NLT 16 March. If we do not have enough paid primaries by 16 March, we will start selecting paid alternates.

All money is due NLT 13 April. If we do not have 22 paid primaries or alternates, we will go to other cadets. We will refund your money if your child is not selected. A permission slip must be turned in with the final deposit. Cadets not on either list will not pay. MAKE CHECKS TO WADE HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL.

Instructors and selected chaperones will supervise the trip. There may be an administrator with us. Please feel free to contact us at (864) 355-0124/0122 with questions.

Primary Cadets
Kristina Bracewell, Ben Bruns, Lexus Carr, Erin Davis, Josh Davis, Desmond Foster, Amanda Harper, Kevin Hinnant, Andrew Hooper, Dean Kroeger, Daniel Lee, Gregory Little, Will Loper, Richard Mack, Ashley McCullough, Graves Newell, Kyle Rothfus, Christopher Savage, Thomas Smith, Salem Stewart, Josh Whitaker, Kiary Wilson

Alternate Cadets

Olga Aguero, McKenzie Battle, Kimberly Bracewell, Shanice Brown, Taylor Crowe, Rebecca Francis, Erin Fuller, Abigail Harrison, Justin Harrison, Breya Louris, Chante Moss, Logan Smith, LeChelsie Thomas, Brandon Thompson, Mason Tipton, Bethany Wolk

Eighth Graders - Listen Up!

We hope that you remember all we told you when we came to visit your school, and we certainly hope you kept this web address. As you register, here are some things we want you to keep in mind:

1. You are not in the military in AFJROTC - some people really think you are. THERE IS NO MILITARY OBLIGATION AFTER YOU TAKE ROTC!

2. ROTC is NOT "boot camp". If that's what you want look somewhere else

3. YOU GET PE CREDIT BY TAKING ROTC

4. We only dress out one day per week

5. We will offer honors courses your junior and senior year

6. We take great field trips - check it out on the weblog below

7. Awards, military ball, chance to fly, possible scholarships - it's all here

Program Update

With a new instructor team, our first semester was spent planning programs and working activities to make SC-954 even stronger. That meant a lot of time coordinating events, starting new initiatives, and getting used to leadership styles. We appreciate the patience of all who have trusted us to do the very best we can to build a program that will benefit students at all levels. We know we have one of the strongest instructor teams anywhere, and we want you to know some of the things our cadets have accomplished - as well as some things we are working.

Colonel Pittman/MSgt Clere

Accomplishments for Academic Year 2008/9
1. Redesigned special team uniforms to reflect a Wade Hampton distinctive image
2. Initiated an Adopt-a-Soldier program to show our military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan that we stand behind them
3. Conducted a great food drive for the Salvation Army that collected 1000 cans for the needy
4. Participated in the VFW "Voice of Democracy" essay contest - produced three winners
5. Participated in a Greenville County JROTC Military Ball attended by 300
6. Expanded our drill competition schedule to include two North Carolina events - first-place winners in the first one
7. Dressed up our classroom to present a professional Air Force image
8. Raised nearly $1000 for "Eastside Week" charities

Activities/Programs In Work
1. Honors course established for AY 2010/11 - possibly one next year
2. Partnership established with Miracle League to support autistic children
3. C-130 flight scheduled to let cadets experience Air Force operations
4. Seeking partnership with Civil Air Patrol to provide Air Force approved orientation flights
5. Planning two summer leadership schools at Converse College - WHHS will host the two camps for almost 500 students from 35 high schools
6. Continue to participate in Adopt-a-Highway program
7. Will participate in Knights of Columbus Memorial Day ceremony
8. Will participate in March of Dimes activities
9. Planning an end-of-year picnic and "field day"
10. Skating social planned for 26 March - with Blue Ridge and Berea AFJROTC

And with all that we will undergo an Air Force inspection in March and end the semester with an impressive awards ceremony. Hang on! We are just getting started.

Florida Bound!

We have approval to begin organizing our four-day trip to the sugar white sands of Fort Walton Beach, Florida where we are planning a curriculum-in-action itinerary to see some aerospace marvels, including the AC-130 Spectre Gunship and an air museum. We will be sharing this trip with our neighbors and skating partners (and leadership school and military ball buddies) from Blue Ridge High School AFJROTC. We will leave after school on April 29th and return on May 3rd. The Hampton Inn is known for its good breakfasts and "cushy" beds. The cadets on this trip will be the envy of all. We just wish we had a bus big enough for everyone.

2009 Military Ball - A Night To Remember!

A new tradition - the 2009 Military Ball Medallion.

(Click on picture to see larger view)

They Could Have Danced All Night!!!

The King and Queen Reign for a Year

The highlight of the coronation is always the crowning of the Ball King and Queen. Amanda Harper received the large tiara, bouquet of roses, and Ball Queen 2009 sash as our reigning Queen. Desmond Foster received a large eagle to symbolize his reign as King. All five courts gathered on the dance floor for many pictures - and the first dance.

Coronation Most Impressive Ever!

Each of the five JROTC units attending conducted separate coronation ceremonies to fit the traditions of their corps. Wade Hampton crowned Rebecca Francis as the Freshman Princess and Taylor Crowe as the Prince. The Sophomores were Kristina Bracewell, Princess, and Daniel Lee, Prince. Summer Hinton was the Junior Princess, and Josh Whitaker was named Prince. The ladies all recieved tiaras and roses while the gentlemen received handsome eagle statues.

Military Ball Arrives on Valentine's Day

The Military Ball began at 6:30 PM, and cadets from Berea, Blue Ridge, Greenville, Southside, and Wade Hampton were greeted as they walked through the Receiving Line. Ashley McCullough and Lawrence McDowell led the Wade Hampton contingent. The tiaras, eagles, roses, and souvenirs were in place to bring smiles to all. The five-school color guard began the program, and after introductions and toasts, 300 attendees enjoyed a delicious meal.

A Big Week for Recruiting

February 9, 10 and 11 were busy days as cadets visited Sevier, League Academy, and Northwood to tell the AFJROTC story. Our top cadets showed how sharp they are in uniform, and Gregory Little, Daniel Lee, and Josh Whitaker showed them what our special teams could do by spinning rifles. Colonel Pittman passed along the message that ROTC is about citizenship, leadership - and opportunities. Cadets let them know that this is not "boot camp" and that they ARE NOT in the military. We work hard to accomplish all our goals, but we also have a lot of fun. We hope that all the eighth graders realize now that ROTC is different - but special. The great field trips, special events like the military ball and skating parties, a chance to fly, and scholarship opportunities make ours a perfect program for all who want to be part of something really special. All cadets who attended these trips earned the AFJROTC Recruiting Ribbon for their contribution to the growth of our program.

Model Club Partnership Formed

Our unit is aggressively pursuing the formation of an active, motivational model program to include aircraft construction and rocketry. We have been very fortunate to receive tremendous support from Coach Jeff Neal, an award-winning historical modeler, and the officers and members of the South Carolina Modelers Association. We are proudly displaying some of their models until we generate our own. On Monday, February 6th, Tim Kirkland (left of Colonel Pittman) and Thomas Smith (holding an orange X-1) presented four more aircraft models to display. We are most grateful for the support of Coach Neal and the Club. Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hooper will be our SC-954 Model Club Commander. His NCOIC will be Cadet SMSgt Kim Bracewell.