AHS AFJROTC Cadets

During the summer break from school, nine specially selected AFJROTC cadets from Asheboro High School successfully completed Cadet Officer Leadership School (C.O.L.S.) sponsored by the US Air Force. They joined approximately 250 other cadets from 31 schools across the state July 8th through 13th.

The course this summer, conducted at Catawba College is similar to a mini version of Air Force Basic Training. Cadets begin their day at 4:00 a.m. with a physical conditioning program consisting of calisthenics and a one mile run, all of which are timed. Academics at this school are almost all outdoors, and consist of such subjects as Land Survival, which includes land navigation and spending a night in the woods in shelters the cadets must construct themselves, Rappelling/Obstacle Course, Rope Bridge construction and crossing, water survival and scuba training. Cadets also compete each evening in team building sports activities such as dodge ball, kick ball, volleyball, and a sport somewhat unique to the program called ultimate ball. In addition, each cadet must memorize a sequence of 40 drill commands and then command their flight through the sequence for evaluation. The cadets undergo daily room and uniform inspections and throughout the course are in competition both individually and as flights for the awards presented at the end of the course.

Selected to attend the Catawba C.O.L.S. this year from AHS were Cadets Taylor McAlister, Ellen Kendrick, Matthew McLeod, Evan Freemyer, Monica Elliott, Nathan Hare, and Megan Swaney. Cadet Major Veronica Cordero and Cadet Major Cody Wilson, previous graduates of the course, were selected to attend as members of the Cadre – the group of senior cadets who lead the flights throughout the week. Wilson served as a flight commander for the week, while Cadet Cordero served as the Cadet Wing Logistics Officer.

Once again, AHS cadets proved they can excel in any activity, bringing home several individual and team awards. Taylor McAlister was selected as the most outstanding non-rookie cadet for the camp, and was a key member of the best overall flight, receiving the camp’s most coveted award, Honor Flight. Cadet Matthew McLeod was a part of the flight that won the overall sports competition for the course, and was awarded the AFJROTC Achievement ribbon. Both Cadets Cordero and Wilson also received the AFJROTC Superior Performance Ribbon for excellence in their assigned Cadre positions. All the AHS cadets received the AFJROTC Physical Fitness Ribbon for successfully completing all parts of the demanding physical fitness test at least once during the course.

All of the cadets have been awarded the AFJROTC Summer Leadership School Ribbon, and all should be very proud of their selection for the course and their success in passing. Each of them has proven they deserve the designation of “Best of the Best from AHS.”

Colonel Carle Hall, senior instructor for the AHS program stated that he and instructor SMSgt Ben Davis, are naturally very pleased but not at all surprised at the performance and display of excellence from their cadets. “We know, sometimes better than the cadets themselves, what these young people are capable of.  We cherish these opportunities to let them prove to themselves and others just how outstanding they really are.”  All of these C.O.L.S. graduates are now eligible and qualified to assume key leadership roles in the AHS AFJROTC Corps of Cadets.