Cadet Contract. All cadets and their parents/guardians will complete the cadet contract annually. The contract will then be filed in the cadet's Cadet Personal Record. Failure to comply will result in disenrollment from AFJROTC.
Core Values. This section covers some sound advice that will help each cadet get the most out of JROTC and life. The core values, which are (1) integrity first, (2) service before self, and (3) excellence in all we do, are the foundation upon which a true quality life is built.
Integrity First. Integrity is the willingness of a person to do what is right even when no one is looking. It is the "moral compass" -- the inner voice, the voice of self-control -- the basis for the trust that is imperative in today's society. Integrity is the ability to hold together and properly regulate all of the elements of personal conduct. Integrity has several other moral traits that are indispensable in guiding you to becoming a better citizen.
Courage. A person of integrity possesses moral courage and always tries to do the right thing.
Honesty. Honesty is the hallmark of the professional cadet because your word must be your bond. We do not pencil-whip reports, nor do we cover up violations. The bottom line is we do not lie, and we cannot tolerate anyone in the corps that does.
Responsibility. Responsibility is not a part-time activity. A person of true integrity acknowledges his or her duties and acts accordingly at all times.
Accountability. All members of the corps are accountable for their actions and inactions.
Fairness. Members of the corps are always fair to all other members of the corps. Those that accomplish similar tasks must be rewarded the same. Those members must be disciplined the same for the same or similar infractions.
Openness. Professionals with integrity encourage the free flow of information within the organization. They encourage all members of the corps to offer suggestions for improvement.
Self-Respect. A person of integrity does not behave in ways that would bring discredit upon him/herself or the organization.
Humility. A person of integrity grasps and is sobered by the awesome task of supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States.
Honor. Honor is the highest form of self-respect. An honorable person always tries to do the correct thing in all situations.
Loyalty. Loyalty represents the very fabric of the cadet corps. You must have the fortitude and belief to support your superiors and subordinates and the decisions they make.
Discipline. Discipline is the "cement" that bonds all military organizations together. The heart of discipline is execution of orders immediately and without question.
Service Before Self. Professional duties take precedence over personal preference. The traits of Service Before Self include the following behaviors.
Following Rules. To serve is to do one's duty. We most commonly express our duties through rules, regulations and manuals. Professionals understand that rules are necessary and they adhere to them at all times.
Respect for Others. Service before self informs us that a good leader places the troops needs ahead of his/her needs. We must always act in the certain knowledge that all persons possess a fundamental worth as human beings.
Discipline and Self-Control. Professionals cannot indulge themselves in self-pity, discouragement, anger, frustration, or defeatism. They have a moral obligation to the persons they lead to display confidence and optimism. We expect leaders to exercise control in the following areas --
Anger. We expect professionals to refrain from public displays of anger that would bring discredit upon the school, the corps, and themselves.
Faith in the System. To lose faith in the system is to adopt the view that you know better than those whom created the system. In other words, to lose faith in the system is to place self before service. Leaders should be diligent in imparting the philosophy that one should never lose faith in the system.
Excellence in All We Do. Excellence in all we do directs us to develop a sustained passion for continuous improvement and innovation that will propel GA-958 into a long-term, upward spiral of accomplishments and performance.
Product/Service Excellence. We must focus on providing services and producing results that fully meet the requirements of Etowah High School, the Cherokee County School System, and the United States Air Force.
Personal Excellence. Cadets complete their high school education, stay physically fit, and maintain a good attitude. They must demonstrate personal excellence while doing homework to the best of their ability and responding to questions in class with a knowledgeable reply. We must always strive to build the mind, body, and spirit!
Community Excellence. Members of an organization achieve community excellence by working together to successfully reach a common goal.
Resources Excellence. Excellence in all we do also demands that we aggressively implement policies to ensure the best possible cradle-to-grave management of resources.
Operations Excellence. There are two kinds of operations excellence: internal and external. Internal as a form of excellence pertains to the way we do business within GA-958. It involves respect on the unit level and a total commitment to maximizing cadet corps excellence. External as a form of excellence pertains to the way in which we treat the world around us as we perform our operations. We must be sensitive to the rules governing our surroundings, and we are especially sensitive to the needs of others around us.
Code of Conduct. This code is a general guide for a cadet's conduct as an Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet. It says, "I pledge to the best of my ability to bring credit upon myself, family, country, school, community, and the corps. I strive to improve on this daily. I will live my life by the highest moral standards. I will respect and follow the directions of the corps, my parents, and those entrusted with the responsibility to teach me those social values and life skills that I will need to become a productive citizen. I will serve my community to benefit the welfare of all. I will life by and uphold the laws and policies of my community, my school, and the corps. I will attempt to instill these values in my fellow cadets. I will respect the rights of all and will not tolerate those who verbally or physically abuse others based on race, creed, handicap, color, gender, or religion."
General. You represent a select group that aspires to be the best of America's youth. This means that you should always conduct yourself in a manner that is favorable to your school, GA-958, and AFJROTC.
Addressing Other Cadets. Cadets of lower rank address a cadet officer by his/her rank followed by his/her last name, or a cadet officer may be addressed as "Sir" or "Ma'am." Never address a cadet officer in uniform by his/her first name. Officer cadets address each other by their rank and last name.
Active Duty, Reserve, Guard, and Retired Military Personnel. Military personnel are addressed by their rank followed by their last name followed by "Sir" or "Ma'am."
Saluting. A salute is nothing more than a greeting. You are required to salute all cadet officers and the SASI/ASI, and they will render a salute back or extend a verbal greeting if unable to salute. You are not required to salute non-officer cadets (cadet airman basic to cadet chief master sergeant). All cadet officers must render a salute to officers of a higher rank. Note -- salute outside the building in uncovered areas. The only time a cadet should salute indoors is when they are formally reporting to superiors and during formal ceremonies.
Walking with Cadets and Military Personnel of a Higher Rank. When walking with a person of higher rank, always walk on his/her left and in-step with him/her. When passing a person of higher rank, pass on his/her left if possible. When passing through a doorway, the person of lower rank holds the door and allows the person of higher rank to proceed through the doorway first.
Treatment of Cadets of a Lower Rank. Never, at any time, will hazing be tolerated in the corps of cadets. Report any hazing to the flight commander of the cadet who was harassed and taken straight up the chain of command. No cadet will be embarrassed or degraded in any manner. This includes public reprimands, public punishment, joking about difference in rank, etc.
Calling Rooms to Attention. When the United States flag, SASI, ASI, Corps Commander, Principal, Assistant Principal, distinguished visitor, or a military officer enters the room, call the room to attention if that person becomes the highest ranking person in the room. The occupants of the room remain at attention until the person entering says, "at ease," "as you were," etc. Classrooms, gymnasiums, cafeterias, etc. are not called to attention when there is a large mixture of cadets and non-cadets in the room (more than one-half non-cadets are usually a good rule of thumb). The room will not be called to attention during periods of instruction unless directed by the SASI/ASI.
Courtesies Rendered to Non-Cadets. Address faculty members and adults as "Mr./Mrs." (last name) unless they ask or permit you to address them in other forms. In conversation, unless otherwise directed, they are answered, "yes Sir/Ma'am" and not "yeah," "nope," etc.
Quibbling. When an officer gives an order, follow it, unless the order violates safety guidelines or the law. You have the right to disagree and present your ideas if time permits, but the officer has the final word. If you feel that an officer is treating you unfairly, see a member of staff or the SASI/ASI. Issues can be worked out if addressed in an orderly fashion.
Reasons for Strictness. If a unit is to function in a smooth manner, then there must be procedures for everyone to follow. There must be discipline to carry out a unit's every day functions. Faculty members at Etowah High School look upon AFJROTC as a group of students that perform on a higher level than others do. They expect a cadet to be clean-cut and act as role models. Cadets must not only meet but also exceed these expectations. Each cadet is a leader in training. Each cadet must be willing to live with discipline and be ready to accept responsibility. Cadets will learn the discipline that puts them beyond their peers.
Actions. Wherever a GA-958 cadet goes, everyone will know that cadet is a member of GA-958. Therefore, each cadet must represent the unit in a way that will make the corps proud.
Honor Code. "We will not lie, cheat, or steal nor tolerate anyone among us who does." These simple words are the basis for a code to live by. These words are specific, clear in their demands, and will always be relevant in our society. A cadet should be honest in both words and deeds. A cadet should not make quibbling and evasive statements, should do their own work, and assist others in a sense of cooperation to meet corps goals. Trustworthiness throughout life is not only noble but also necessary for the welfare and normalcy of society. The code requires self-control and a conscious effort not to take the easy road to short-term success, but to take the road that requires hard work for long-term success. Eventually, living by this code will become an ingrained habit and a part of the cadet's total lifestyle.
Code of Ethics. Cadets will --
Respect their parents/guardians, teachers, staff, and fellow cadets.
Refrain from any derogatory acts or words that may discredit family, school, corps, or themselves. Vulgar conduct and language is not socially acceptable, hinders communication, and discredits the speaker.
Dedicate themselves to succeed in academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, and work.
Perform all assigned duties in a timely manner and fulfill all obligations.
Maintain self-respect, self-control, and good behavior.
Be honest and understand that honorable failure is better than success through unfair means.
Wear the uniform proudly.
Be a role model with high standards of conduct.
Respect other cadets and follow the direction of senior cadets.
Place the good of the corps ahead of personal gain.