Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Not everyone is aware of some of the amazing activities taking place at Clovis High School in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) program.
Headed up by retired Maj. Alan Fields and assisted by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Kilcullen, this CHS program is formidable.
Fields recently shared some additions to the program at CHS. Beginning with a bit of history, I learned that the JROTC program was actually created as a citizenship program, and CHS was one of the founding entities, started in 1966.
Focused on building self-discipline and leadership skills, the idea is to produce a well-rounded individual equipped with life skills, such as communication, decision-making, money management, community service, and more.
Since its inception, the CHS AFJROTC program has not only remained firmly entrenched under some excellent leaders over the years, but expanded its offerings to students under the guidance of Fields.
Walking into the department recently, I came upon Fields and a group of students clustered around an impressive array of computer screens, monitors, instruments and other mysterious-looking high-tech equipment. No mystery to these students, however; this was the new flight simulator system made possible through efforts of Principal Jay Brady and Fields.
One young man sat in the “cockpit,” carefully monitoring his flight path with fellow students gathered around, offering comments and encouragement. The easy camaraderie was clearly evident among the students, their behavior exceptionally mature, and I was stunned to learn several were only 15.
The addition of this sophisticated flight simulator will contribute greatly to the Flight Academy Prep offered at CHS outside school hours. This national program has only 150 slots open worldwide; the first year we had three students accepted and one last year; all of whom achieved their private pilots’ license. The results of this coming year remain unknown, but there’s clearly great potential.
Of the students participating in the AFJROTC program, only about 30 percent have a direct connection with the military, Fields said. One of the reasons for becoming part of the program is involvement. “There is a strong sense of belonging; we really become a family,” Fields said.
Fields is also proactive in connecting with community entities to provide real world experience for his students; city of Clovis, the Red Cross, and more.
What a pleasure it was to see mature, motivated students thriving.
Cindy Kleyn-Kennedy is the instructional technology coordinator for Clovis Municipal Schools. She can be reached at:
