Wenatchee School District Announces Air Force ROTC Program

The United States Air Force has authorized the Wenatchee School District to offer an Air Force Junior ROTC program starting in August of next year for all students in 9-12th grade.

Communications Manager Diana Haglund said the program is a great pathway for military service, but cadets are not obligated to join the military and can simply join for the skills and experience.

"It's really designed to educate and train cadets in citizenship and promote community service." explained Haglund, "It's also about instilling personal responsibility, character and self discipline in any student."

Students can earn core and elective credits through the ROTC program. Wenatchee's program is the first of its kind in the Wenatchee Valley, with the closest ROTC program in Moses Lake.

While the process of establishing an ROTC program typically takes three years, Wenatchee's program was approved in just 18 months.

The district will need to hire two ROTC instructors, and the positions have been posted on the district's website.