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National Awards

AFJROTC NATIONAL AWARDS DESCRIPTIONS, CRITERIA, and 2022-2023 Award Winners

 Air Force Association (AFA) Award.  This AFA-sponsored award consists of a medal and ribbon and is presented annually at each unit to the outstanding third-year cadet.  The award recipient must possess/meet the following personal characteristics and eligibility criteria:
  • Positive attitude (toward AFJROTC and school).
  • Outstanding personal appearance (uniform and grooming).
  • Display personal attributes such as initiative, judgment, and self-confidence.
  • Courteous demeanor (promptness, obedience, and respect for customs).

Recipient – Daniel Boone Howard

 
Daedalian Award.  The Order of Daedalians is a fraternity of commissioned pilots from all military services.  It is named after the legendary figure, Daedalus, and was organized by WWI military pilots who sought to perpetuate the spirit of patriotism, love of country, and the high ideals of self-sacrifice that place service to the nation above personal safety and position.  This award is offered to encourage the development of these traits in cadets and to interest them in a military career.  The medal is fashioned after an ancient Grecian plaque discovered by a Daedalian in the village of Livadia, Greece, and depicts Daedalus and his son Icarus fabricating their legendary wings of wax and feathers.  The award also includes a ribbon.   This annual award recognizes one outstanding third-year cadet at each unit that meets the following criteria:
  • Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of patriotism, love of country, and service to the nation.
  • Indicate the potential and desire to pursue a military career.
  • Rank in the top 10% of their AFJROTC class.

Recipient – Joey Blevins

 
American Legion Scholastic Award.  This award consists of a bronze medal accompanied by a ribbon with a distinctive miniature attachment depicting a scholastic scroll.  This award is presented annually to one-third or fourth-year cadets based on the cadet’s overall scholastic achievements. Each cadet must:
  • Rank in the top 25% of their AFJROTC class.
  • Demonstrate leadership qualities.
  • Actively participate in student activities

Recipient – Rysann Clark

 
American Legion General Military Excellence Award.  This award consists of a bronze medal accompanied by a ribbon with a distinctive miniature attachment depicting a torch.  This award is presented annually to one-third or fourth-year cadets based on the cadet’s general military
excellence. Each cadet must:
  • Rank in the top 25% of their AFJROTC class.
  • Demonstrate outstanding qualities in military leadership, discipline, character, and citizenship.

Recipient – Rayden Riddle

 
American Veterans (AMVETS) Award.  This award consists of a medal pendant and ribbon.  This award is presented annually to one qualified cadet that possesses individual characteristics contributing to leadership such as:
  • A positive attitude toward AFJROTC programs and service in the Air Force.
  • Personal appearance (the wearing of the uniform, posture, and grooming, but not physical characteristics per se).
  • Personal attributes (initiative, dependability, judgment, and self-confidence).
  • Officer potential (capacity for responsibility, adaptability, and maintenance of high personal standards).
  • Obtained a grade of “A” (or the numerical equivalent) in their AS class.
  • Be in good scholastic standing in all classes at the time of selection and at the time of presentation.

Recipient – Maraya Sanchez

 
Reserve Organization Of America Award.  This award consists of a bronze medal, ribbon, and certificate.  This award is presented annually for military and academic achievement to an outstanding fourth-year cadet.  The recipient must possess individual characteristics contributing to leadership such as:
  • Positive attitude toward the AS curriculum.
  • Outstanding personal appearance (wear of the uniform, posture, and grooming).
  • Attributes of initiative, judgment, and self-confidence.
  • Courtesy (promptness, obedience, and respect).
  • Growth potential (capacity for responsibility, high productivity, adaptability to change).
  • Demonstrate the highest personal, ethical standards & strong positive convictions.
  • Rank in the top 10% of their AS class.

Recipient – Roxanne Hanza

 
Military Order of World Wars Award.  This award consists of a bronze medal pendant, certificate, and ribbon.  This award is presented annually to an outstanding cadet who has committed to continue the aerospace science program the following school year.  Selection is based on outstanding accomplishments or service to the AFJROTC unit.
  
Recipients – Zoe Hanza & Andrew Threet
 
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Award.  This award, formerly known as The Retired Officers Association Award, consists of a medal pendant with a ribbon.  This award is presented annually to an outstanding third-year cadet who shows exceptional potential for military leadership.
Each cadet must:
  • Be a member of the junior class.
  • Be in good academic standing.
  • Be of high moral character.
  • Show a high order of loyalty to the unit, school, and country.
  • Show exceptional potential for military leadership.

Recipient – Jaxon Carnahan

 
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Award.  
This award consists of a medal pendant with a ribbon. This award is presented annually to an outstanding third or fourth-year cadet who is actively engaged in the AFJROTC program and who possesses individual characteristics contributing to leadership.  Each cadet must:
  • Have a positive attitude toward AFJROTC.
  • Have outstanding military bearing and conduct.
  • Possess strong positive personal attributes (such as courtesy, dependability, punctuality, respect, and cooperation).
  • Demonstrate patriotism (being a member of the color guard or drill team) and actively promote Americanism.
  • Demonstrate leadership potential.
  • Attain a grade of “B” in AFJROTC with an overall average grade of “C” in all subjects for the previous semester.
  • Be active in student activities.
  • Not have been previous recipients of this award.

Recipient – Rex Wyatt

  
Military Order of the Purple Heart Award.  This award consists of a medal pendant with a ribbon.  This award annually recognizes an outstanding underclassmen (first, second, or third-year cadet), who is enrolled in the AFJROTC program and demonstrates leadership ability.  (Seniors are not eligible) Each cadet must:
  • Have a positive attitude toward AFJROTC and the country.
  • Hold a leadership position in the cadet corps.
  • Be active in school and community affairs.
  • Attain a grade of “B” or better in all subjects for the previous semester.
  • Not have been a previous recipient of this award.

Recipient – William Stant

 
Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) Award.  This annual award consists of a medal pendant with a ribbon.  This award recognizes an outstanding third or fourth-year cadet.  The recipient must demonstrate outstanding qualities in military leadership, discipline, character, and citizenship.  Each cadet must:
  • Be in the top 10% of the AFJROTC class.
  • Demonstrate outstanding qualities in military leadership, discipline, character, and citizenship.
  • Not have been a previous recipient of this award.

Recipient – Timothy Threet

 
Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated (TAI) Air Force JROTC Cadet Award.  This TAI sponsored award consists of a ribbon and a certificate.  This award is presented annually to two cadets.  Cadets may be first-year, second-year, or third-year cadets and must meet the following criteria:
  • Attain a grade of “B” or better in their AS class.
  • Be in good academic standing.
  • Actively participate in cadet corps activities.
  • Participate in at least 50% of all unit service programs.

Recipients – Jada Li, Lizzy Howard, and Aspen Adams

 
The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA) Award.  Awarded annually, at the SASI’s discretion, for exceptional leadership to the most outstanding AFJROTC cadet while serving in an Enlisted Rank.  The selected enlisted cadet must have shown outstanding leadership throughout the course of the school year.  This award consists of a medal set with a ribbon and a certificate from TREA.
 
Recipient –  Elizabeth Wall

The Celebrate Freedom Foundation.  Awarded annually, at the SASI’s discretion, for outstanding performance in academics and cadets corps activities as a first or second-year JROTC cadet.  This award consists of a ribbon and a certificate.
 
Recipients – Andie Atkin, Saxton Ballard, Sofearus Barret, Wade Clark, Karianne Cowdell, Amya Franco, Maddie Kenner, Madison Lamoreaux, Noah Lewis, Luke Lounsbury, Diego Pacrem, Pyper Palmer, Amelia Schermerhorn, and Cayden Taschuk
 
Air Commando Association Award.  Awarded annually at the SASI’s discretion for completing a one-page essay based on a historical AF Special Operations Mission possessing the thirteen critical attributes of success: integrity, self-motivation, intelligence, self-discipline, perseverance, adaptability, maturity, judgment, selflessness, leadership, skilled, physical fitness and family strength.  This award consists of a ribbon and certificate.
 
Recipient – Kevin Herrera