Miller Sends Letter to Air Force Requesting Cabell AFJROTC Program Remains Active

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) sent a letter to Secretary Frank Kendall of the United States Air Force expressing her concern regarding the deactivation of the Cabell Midland High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AFJROTC) in Ona, West Virginia.

Cabell Midland High School has consistently had 60 students enrolled in the program, under the statutory 100 student threshold. Failure to meet this threshold has resulted with their program being on probationary status. In this letter, Congresswoman Miller has requested the Air Force to allow the Cabell AFJROTC program to remain active on probation for another year as implemented recruitment changes are being put into place.

On the deactivation of the Cabell AFJROTC program:

The Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) provides invaluable leadership and civic education for high school students around the country. It is also a practical and mutually beneficial solution to the recruitment crisis that is putting our National Security at risk. It is for these reasons that I am inclined to express my concern regarding the recent deactivation of the Cabell Midland Highschool Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AFJROTC) in Ona, West Virginia.

Cabell Midland's program has consistently had 60 students enrolled in their program. Failure to comply with this guideline results in the program being given a probationary status, which Cabell Midland has been on. As you know, COVID-19 took a considerable toll on the enrollment of all extracurricular activities, including the AFJROTC, which led the Air Force to suspend putting the programs on probation for not meeting their guidelines for enrollment as outlined in 10 U.S.C. §2031(b). Nearly a quarter (193/841) of the AFJROTC units are currently non-viable due to cadet enrollment requirements. The Air Force probations resumed during the 2023 school year, and Cabell Midland High School was notified that their program would be deactivated on November 13th, 2023. While I fully recognize the importance of robust enrollment for an AFJROTC chapter, I have concerns that the decision to deactivate the Cabell Midland High School program was premature.

On new AFJROTC recruitment plans that were not able to be put in effect:

The school officials at Cabell Midland have recently developed a concrete plan to increase enrollment including further outreach to middle school students. Furthermore, the Air Force is making substantial alterations to the JROTC program to increase enrollment, including changing their policy regarding uniforms. The effects of these adjustments were not given adequate time to be realized given the recent decision from the Air Force to resume probations.

The decision to deactivate the program disadvantages the community substantially more than the decision provides budgetary relief to the Air Force. Since 2017, the program has produced a Yeager scholar, secured two full-ride ROTC scholarships, earned four service appointments, and witnessed three students obtaining their pilot's licenses. In 2023, 100% of program graduates entered the workforce or enrolled in college.

On the request to allow Cabell AFJROTC program to remain active:

I therefore respectfully request the Air Force allow the Cabell AFJROTC program to continue to remain active on probation for another year in order to allow their implemented changes to run their course. Expanding the JROTC program and providing ardent support to the current programs is consistent with the betterment of the community, Congressional intentions, and addressing the recruitment crisis, whereas the deactivation of this program is not. I look forward to working with your office to resolve this issue and provide further support for all AFJROTC programs.

Click HERE for the full letter.

###