Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Air Force Junior ROTC instructor named top of the class

Just a few weeks after the Air Force Junior ROTC (AFJROTC) unit at Sandy Creek High was named among the top 10 percent in the nation, instructor Col. Doug Pearson has been selected to receive the 2003-2004 AFJROTC Outstanding Instructor Award. This award recognizes AFJROTC instructors who have performed above and beyond normal expectations and have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their school and community while meeting the AFJROTC mission of producing better citizens for America.

The award is limited to the top 10 percent of AFJROTC instructors. For this year's award, 182 instructors were selected from a pool of 535 nominees by a panel of Air Force officers and noncommissioned officers.

“Col. Pearson demonstrated a well-rounded balance of accomplishments both in and out of the classroom. These accomplishments made positive impacts on the cadets, the unit and school, as well as the community. Col. Pearson's hard work, professionalism and diligence made the difference,” says Jo Alice Talley of the Instructor Management Branch of the headquarters office of the AFJROTC program.

AFJROTC instructors are retired Air Force commissioned and noncommissioned officers. The instructors maintain Air Force standards and are trained through the Aerospace Science Instructor Course. They are full-time faculty members of the participating high school and are employed by the local school board to teach classes.