Community service by cadets is a key tenant of good citizenship, while providing an exceptional opportunity to develop teamwork and Cadet Corps ownership. Cadet leaders should be encouraged to make community service a top priority. The goal is to get maximum cadet participation in each event. Higher cadet participation rates lead to higher recruitment and retention rates, as well as providing opportunities for greater Cadet Corps visibility in the school and community. This essentially leads to better citizens for our local community and nation. Cadets are required to earn 18 hours of community service each year.
Community service is defined as voluntary, unpaid work intended to help or benefit a person, or persons, in a particular area. It is simply “serving the community” with “Service Before Self” in mind. According to AFJROTCI 36-2010, and the JROTC LDR Guide, TX-20081 AFJROTC Sponsored CS events are:
Community service builds character and perspective, provides skills to be used later in life, and strongly reinforces the Air Force Core Value of “Service before Self.” It also provides a positive representation of AFJROTC to the community and nation as a whole. HQ AFJROTC tracks community service hours for annual reporting and awards from 11 April of the current academic year to 10 April of the next academic year. To be considered as community service for reporting, it must be performed without pay, without receiving a grade, without receiving something in return, without in-kind compensation. It must be true community service.
Community service must also benefit the general community. It cannot be for the sole benefit of the AFJROTC unit.
- AFJROTC sponsored and school-approved events,
- Planned, organized, and executed by the Cadet Corps, and
- Supervised by a certified AFJROTC instructor
Community service builds character and perspective, provides skills to be used later in life, and strongly reinforces the Air Force Core Value of “Service before Self.” It also provides a positive representation of AFJROTC to the community and nation as a whole. HQ AFJROTC tracks community service hours for annual reporting and awards from 11 April of the current academic year to 10 April of the next academic year. To be considered as community service for reporting, it must be performed without pay, without receiving a grade, without receiving something in return, without in-kind compensation. It must be true community service.
Community service must also benefit the general community. It cannot be for the sole benefit of the AFJROTC unit.
- Volunteering to come after school to clean the school grounds should be counted as community service because it benefits the entire school. Other examples are raising and lowing the flag on the school’s flagpole in the morning and afternoon, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and announcement on the school PA/radio station, and serving as escorts and assist during a school open house/orientation. This should be counted as community service as it benefits the school and/or community. Conversely, receiving a grade for community service participation should NOT count as community service because the grade benefits the cadet, not the community, and the cadet is receiving a form of payment for participating.
Non - AFJROTC Sponsored CS (not supervised by an AFJROTC Instructor)
Guidelines for receiving credit:
Examples: Hospitals, Food banks, Blood drives, Churches, Parks departments, Schools, Libraries, Special Olympics, Animal shelters, Social service programs, Nursing homes, Service clubs
Note: Prior approval from your SASI or ASI is required before starting any service activity to ensure it meets the established guidelines!
- Unpaid Service: The Cadet must not receive any payment for services, whether in money or kind.
- Benefiting the Community: The service must benefit individuals in need (outside of family), be conducted through a non-profit organization, or fulfill civic needs within the community.
- Helping Others: Service must be done for the purpose of helping others and should not involve family members.
- Reporting Responsibility: Cadets are responsible for reporting their service hours and submitting the appropriate documentation in a timely manner.
- Non-Overlap of Hours: Hours counted for other organizations (such as Honor Society, Student Council, Band, Cheer, Football, etc.) cannot overlap with AFJROTC community service hours.
- Legal-Related Hours: Community service hours mandated due to legal actions do not count toward AFJROTC credit.
- Documentation: Service documentation must be signed by the Cadet and the adult supervisor of the service activity. The hours must then be verified by either the AFJROTC SASI or ASI.
Examples: Hospitals, Food banks, Blood drives, Churches, Parks departments, Schools, Libraries, Special Olympics, Animal shelters, Social service programs, Nursing homes, Service clubs
Note: Prior approval from your SASI or ASI is required before starting any service activity to ensure it meets the established guidelines!
One Team. One Unit. One Family. HUA!
TX-20081 Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps | Forney High School | 1800 College Avenue | Forney, Texas 75126 | 972.564.3890
“The information and opinions contained in this Internet site do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Government, United States Air Force, Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development, or Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.”
“The information and opinions contained in this Internet site do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Government, United States Air Force, Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development, or Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.”