AFJROTC

• • BS Civil Engineering, United States Air Force Academy 1985
  • Masters in Engineering Mgt, Western New England College 1986
  • MBA Finance Concentration, Wright State University 1994

Master Sergeant (Retired) Mark K. Margara is our first Aerospace Science Instructor (ASI). MSgt Margara served 22 years in the Air Force and brings a wealth of experience to the program, including Security Forces, Recruiting, Operations Resource Management and deployments to Panama and other locations. He is currently serving his 19th year as Homestead Senior High School ASI. 

• • BA in History, McKendree University 2000.
  • Bachelor of Arts in History (Education), Liberty University 2020

• • BA in Biblical and Educational Studies, Liberty University 2016

FL-801 Cadet Leadership  

Cadet Lt Colonel Crystal Cordoba (Group Commander) 

Cadet SMSgt Justin Gonzalez (Group Superintendent) 

Cadet 2Lt Christian Tellez (Executive Officer) 

Cadet MSgt Azli Vargas (Mission Support) 

Cadet SMSgt Angel Ramos (Operations) 

Cadet Major Peterlee Smith (Logistics) 

There are a broad number of activities associated with our AFJROTC Program. Most of our activities fall under one of the below domains: 

1. Community Service – the second of our USAF Core Values “Service Before Self” is manifested in the many opportunities we provide our Cadets to give back to our community.  Some specific community Service Opportunities include; 
   1. AFJROTC Blood Drive – In partnership with the ONEBLOOD Drive organization, our AFJROTC Cadets manage/facilitate donations by eligible Homestead SHS Students (17 or older) to donate blood. 
   2. City of Homestead 9/11 Freedom Walk - Our AFJROTC Cadets assist the local Veteran’s group in charge of event with all preparations immediately preceding the start of parade.  Additionally, our Cadets also march during this parade. 
   3. City of Homestead Veteran’s Day Parade – Our AFJROTC Cadets consistently march during this event. 
   4. Local Food Drives  - each year our cadets manage 3-4 local food drives benefiting either the local community or any additional cause related to natural disasters 
   5. Purple Star School Program – Our AFJROTC Cadets participate in our HSHS Purple Star initiative, an opportunity to serve as our school ambassadors to newly arrived Military Connected Children – helping them acclimate to all aspects of life as a student at Homestead Senior High School. 
2. Curriculum in Action – Each year our cadets participate in additional activities that are reasonably correlated with either the Leadership or Aerospace bodies of knowledge that form the foundation of our curriculum for AFJROTC.  Some examples include: 
   1. Miami Military Museum visits 
   2. MDCPS Pass In Review – annual event with all MDCPS JROTC units to be reviewed/inspected by our MDCPS Superintendent
   3. Field trips to Homestead Air Reserve Base – at least once a year, our AFJROTC unit is invited to Homestead ARB to learn about many of the roles/missions of its military units – with intent on awareness of what the “real” Air Force is like – possibly motivating for career opportunities.
   4. Military Ball – each year our Cadets conduct a formal dining event know as a “Military Ball” with all the customs and courtesies associated with a Military Dining In event.  We will invite sister AFJROTC units from MDCPS (Hialeah and South Ridge High Schools). 

Honor Guard – Our most popular after school program is our Honor Guard.  We prepare for competition events (Drill Meets) against other MDCPS JROTC Schools on a broad range of marching competitions.  Some events we commonly participate in are the Color Guard, Squad Competition as well as Platoon Competition.  In addition to preparing for our local events, we also train for two Air Force Specific activities – Our Air Force Color Guard Team (presenting Colors at many school and Miami-Dade County public events as well as our Organizational 30 Commands Drill, required as part of our AFJROTC Leadership Curriculum. 

Rocketry – This is our Science and Technology offering.  The exact nature of the instruction will vary annually based on Cadet interest.  Specific areas include but are not limited to orbital mechanics, robotics, physical launching of rockets and others.  

Running Club – this club is entirely a local initiative in our unit.  It was originally created at the requests of some Cadets to learn how to participate in long distance running events from a 5K to as long a s Half marathon (13.1 miles).   

Flight Academy 

The AFJROTC Flight Academy offers cadets to an opportunity to attend private pilot training at public/private universities during the summer. Selected Cadets will be identified through a competitive boarding process.  The scholarship will pay for round-trip airfare, room and board, collegiate academics and the flight hours required to potentially earn a Private Pilot’s Certificate (PPC) through an in-residence collegiate program that is approximately eight (8) weeks in length.   

Applicants must be current sophomore, junior, or senior AFJROTC Cadets who understand they are volunteering for a scholarship to a public/private university.  There is no military service commitment or obligation, nor does program completion justify acceptance to military service, ROTC scholarship, or military academy appointment.  Applicants must 

• Be 17 years old by 15 July of the summer attending program 

• Obtain a minimum fitness assessment score 

• have a minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale)  

• have a strong interest in aviation, a strong academic record, and a “never-quit” attitude  

Additional content on AFJROTC Program is available on the USAF AFJROTC site at 

https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Holm-Center/AFJROTC/Display/Article/3154508/flight-academy/ 

J-100 AFJROTC Character-in Leadership scholarship program  

The J-100 AFJROTC Character-in Leadership scholarship program is a 4-year scholarship only available through AFJROTC and it recognizes outstanding high school seniors enrolled in Air Force JROTC. Selected Cadets will be identified through a competitive boarding process. The J-100 scholarship program focuses on character, leadership, citizenship, and diversity and it inspires future leaders to seek careers in the US Air Force. The J-100 scholarship provides a full scholarship with benefits including:  

• 4-years of 100% paid tuition at any university, or crosstown partner, with an AFROTC detachment 

• a $10,000 per-year allowance for university-owned/on-campus housing 

• an annual book stipend 

• and a monthly cadet stipend.  

There are no specific degree requirements; however, cadets are encouraged to consider technical degrees (i.e., Chemistry, Engineering, Physics, etc.…) to meet the growing demand for these disciplines.  

Applicants must be graduating high school seniors who understand that accepting the scholarship will require a cadet to meet all AFROTC requirements and pursue an officer commission. Applicants must  

• obtain a minimum fitness assessment score  

• have a minimum of 2 or more years of JROTC experience (including senior year). 

• minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale)  

• score a minimum of 22 on ACT or 1100 on SAT 

• be a US Citizen, or in the process obtaining their US citizenship by first term of college freshman year 

Additional content on AFJROTC Program is available on the USAF AFJROTC site at https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Holm-Center/AFJROTC/Display/Article/3174986/j-100-scholarship-information/