BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–Cane Bay High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC (AF JROTC) earned the AF JROTC Distinguished Unit Award again.
This is the fifth time the school’s AF JROTC has received the honor since the award’s inception in June 2008.
“These awards recognize the personal growth and accomplishments of the cadets, contributions of the instructors as mentors, and the support of the school and local community,” Col. Bobby Woods, Director of AFJROTC, said. “Certainly numerous Air Force JROTC units are doing great things in their respective communities, but these units truly represent the best of the 889 AFJROTC units worldwide. The cadets, instructors, and schools are to be commended for earning their award,” the colonel said.
This year the unit was under the cadet leadership of Cadet Col. Jade Radford and Cadet Lt. Col. Jasmine McCants. The success of the JROTC program this year is a direct reflection of the senior class and the leadership of Group Staff according to Lt. Col. Glenn Swilling, the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor.
“It also helps to have the kind of support we have from our Principal, Dr. Lee Westberry. When you have your Principal show up to drill competitions, awards ceremonies, and summer leadership courses, it lets cadets know what they are doing is important,” Lt. Col. Swilling said. “We have that support at Cane Bay High School!” added Master Sgt. Paul Brown, the program’s other instructor.
Master Sgt. Brown earned the Outstanding Instructor Award for the 2014-15 academic year, the fifth time in seven years. This year, Master Sgt. Brown took 32 cadets on an overnight field study aboard the USS Yorktown.
The “Flight Academy,” a six-hour STEM immersion program sponsored by Patriots Point and Lockheed Martin, included three meals, lodging and the flight academy. Because of the free activity, interest and enthusiasm for the Aviation and RC Airplane Club increased by 300 percent.
Master Sgt. Brown earned Cane Bay High School’s “COBRA AWARD” for his strong support of students, school, and community, was presented the first ever Air Force Influencer Award by the 316 Recruiting Squadron; as well as a letter of appreciation from the Cane Bay High School Student Council for his continued support of student council events and activities.
Community service is one of the most important facets of JROTC, and again Cane Bay led the way, participating in 44 community service activities involving 2,228 hours of service and more than $700 in charitable donations. Cadets collected more than $500 for Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF for the sixth year, sponsored “OPERATION WARMHEART,” a project to collect clothes and toys for local children with needs at Christmas, raised $130 for needy teens and took part in collecting food for holiday baskets, serving more than 50 families.
The Kitty Hawk Air Society visited Pinewood House assisted living center during the holidays, sang songs and brought good cheer to 39 senior residents. Master Sgt. Brown and cadets also provided colors and pledge support for the 43rd Annual Martin Luther King Celebration attended by United States Senator, Tim Scott. The Senator took time to thank the cadets, posed for photos and talked about opportunities for Military Academy Appointments.
Recently, 22 cadets from Cane Bay High graduated from the Cadet Leadership Course held at the Citadel from June 7 through June 13. Cadet Maj. Destiney Gaylord performed duty as one of the Operations Squadron Commanders, responsible for the training and discipline of five flights of 25 cadets. Cadets Kevin Wright and Kayla Hankammer were Academic Award winners.
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