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Not only does North Branch High School offer one of only three Junior ROTC Air Force programs in the state;  this year the district is wrapping up its first full slate of aviation curriculum, which none of the JRROTC groups offer.  

The aviation program took-off last year and the scope of the classes and equipment available have been expanding.  Above and beyond aviation— courses call for learning about the sciences, such as weather, runway angles and degrees, and navigation.  The students are also sharpening  leadership, problem solving and even personal finance tools. What to do with a cash bonus for enlisting was a topic of discussion the day the Press stopped by.

Instructor Captain Chris Johnson (he shares the program with Master Sergeant Bennett) describes the aviation program as “the elective within an elective. “

He is quick to give appreciation to North Branch administration for having worked with him on enhancing the new aviation program aspects,  to the point “it is way more than ground school.”

Students this interviewmorning obviously agreed. 

They had fun anecdotes of past activities — like the blood spurting prop arm the captain made for a first aid course. “There are a lot of activities, very little sitting around,” he mused.

Captain Johnson came to North Branch with six years of experience instructing at the college level.  The JRROTC program in North Branch began in 2015 and was on a good foundation as original leaders retired. Cpt. Johnson said the Air Force too, supports the program and provides lesson guides, kits, and other planning motivations. Traditional skills continue to be stressed:  color guard and marching drills, physical training, even virtual archery. About half the ROTC enrollees were away from the building competing in a national drill event last week

Cpt. Johnson is a unique asset because he flies out of Anoka Airport, and is familiar with local aviation programs and nearby facilities, which the class visits.

And, just because this is organized under the JROTC umbrella it should not be assumed that students participating must accept a military obligation. One of the students said she just wants to be a pilot and thought this would be a good way to prepare. The successful student will complete academic prep for FAA private pilot knowledge exams.

Another student is considering a nursing career and said the JROTC program is a productive experience.

“We are not pushing people into the military,” Cpt. Johnson stressed. Civilian aviation-related careers await high school grads who are not candidates for a four-year college.  Regional airports deserve more promotion for the opportunity they present as far as employment, he continued. 

North Branch’s aviation program also has a drone-related lesson plan that can give students a taste of operation, repair and maintenance of drones, a technology sector which is a very hot field.  A drone competition at one of the North Branch school facilities was a maiden event this winter.

For more details see the North Branch district webpage at www.isd138.org and find the Air Force Junior ROTC page titled ‘Aviation’.

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