The Selma High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) recently underwent a formal evaluation and received the highest marks possible – “exceeds standards.”

The cadets in the program are under the leadership of retired Lt. Col. George Kelley and retired Senior Master Sgt. Charles Thrasher – Thrasher has been with the school for the last three years, while this is Kelley’s first year after leading five other programs over the last 15 years.

Headquarters AFJROTC representative Sgt. Bruce Kenney attributed the school’s high rating to outstanding facilities and support for the program and the cadets’ “deep sense of caring for their unit, school and community.”

“We are so proud of our young cadets’ herculean performance and diligent efforts,” Kelley said. “Selma High School AFJROTC is second to none.”

According to Kelley, this is only the second time the unit has received such recognition, the first time being 10 years ago in 2009.

A glance at the score sheet for Selma High’s program bears out Kenney’s assessment of the school’s AFJROTC program – the school exceeded standards in a variety of categories, including “necessary classroom facilities and office space for the efficient and effective management of the program,” the availability of an adequate drilling area, climate-controlled storage areas, “appropriate academic credit” for students completing the program, properly-dressed instructors, cadets exemplifying excellence in adhering to conduct policies, physical fitness requirements, corps “ownership” and more.

The program was also recognized for providing cadets with a physical education credit, strong fund management, taking part in more than the required number of educational trips and excellent cadet leadership.

According to Kelley, the program at Selma High School launched with 80 students between ninth and 12th grade.

The stated goal of the Selma High School AFJROTC program is to “instill in high school cadets the values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility” and a “sense of accomplishment.”