Cape Central to begin AFJROTC program

After more than a year of collaboration between the district and the Air Force, a new JROTC program is ready to launch this fall at Central High School in Cape Girardeau.

To lead the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, or AFJROTC program, the district hired two instructors, both Air Force veterans: retired Col. Michael Goodin and retired Master Sgt. Frank McMahon.

Reached by phone Monday, Goodin, who will be the senior aerospace science instructor, said he�s looking forward to giving prospective participants opportunity.

�This is a citizen development program,� Goodin said, adding, �We�re not military recruiters.�

The program is a partnership between the Air Force and the school district to build citizens of character, Goodin said, and was mandated on a national level by Congress to do so.

There will be no military requirement upon graduation, according to a school district news release.

�Our mission is to help instill values and prepare these students to succeed in high school and, more importantly, beyond,� Goodin said.

The curriculum has three basic parts, Goodin said, and is taken as elective credit in a regular class schedule.

�The Air Force feels technology instruction is important, but this is about more than just flying,� Goodin said. �We incorporate cultural and regional studies, current events � we try to well-round the students in the curriculum.�

The Air Force puts effort into making sure people have a balanced lifestyle, including nutrition, exercise, management of time and stress and finances, and other important skills, Goodin said.

In the future, Goodin said he hopes to team up with partners to show students existing opportunities right here in Cape Girardeau.

The Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center has aviation courses, and the polytechnic studies department at Southeast Missouri State University already has an unmanned aerial/aircraft systems program, or drone program, Goodin said, as just two examples.

Goodin said he also would like to bring in business and community leaders to share their perspectives on what they look for in employees and leaders.

�There are a lot of great opportunities,� he said.

Goodin said between himself and McMahon, they have lived or traveled in more than 50 countries.

�I worked in some of the highest levels in the Pentagon, and he [McMahon] worked with [former United States national security adviser] Colin Powell, and we want to bring some of that expertise to the students, show them what opportunities are out there if they put their minds to it,� Goodin said. �There�s a big world out there.�

Obviously, Goodin said, he and McMahon have military backgrounds, but the skills each learned can be applied to other areas, such as business or further education.

�They�re good benchmarks to build upon,� Goodin said.

For more information about the program, parents can attend sessions at Central High School, 1000 S. Silver Springs Road in Cape Girardeau, from 6:45 to 7:15 a.m. April 10, or 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 12, according to the district news release.

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

1000 S. Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, Mo.