Fairmont State University Celebrates Fourth Class of AFJROTC Cadets at Summer Flight Academy Graduation

On August 2, Fairmont State University's Aviation Center of Excellence graduated their fourth class of United States Air Force Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps (AFJROTC) Flight Academy cadets. For the 4thconsecutive year, cadets received a 100% FAA pass rate for their private pilot certifications in the program. The 2024 class comprised eight high school students and one college ROTC student from across the nation. These cadets were welcomed to campus in early June. 

The AFJROTC is a Title 10 U.S. Code mandated program focused on citizenship training for high school students. Its mission is to educate and train cadets in citizenship, promote community service, and instill personal responsibility, character, and self-discipline. The program combines classroom education in air and space fundamentals with hands-on learning opportunities through various fun and challenging co-curricular activities.  

Fairmont State University's AFJROTC Academy enhances its training by offering cadets flight training, which allows them to graduate with a Private Pilot Rating. This certification enables them to fly single-engine aircraft before they even finish high school. 

"Today, the United States of America has nine newly minted pilots," said Daniel Gomez, MSgt USAF (ret.), AU AFJROTC Flight Academy Headquarters. "We have taken seventeen-year-old high school students and through programs like Fairmont State University, we have turned them into private pilots. This program is remarkable!" 

Fairmont State's 2024 AFJROTC Flight Academy Cadets included: Chase Gester-Bryceville,  FL; Sean McMurphy-Shiloh, IL; Garrett Allen-Cabot, AR; Alexander Eissner-Brentwood, CA; Madilynn Kieling- Livonia, MI; Cameron Bell-Houston, TX; Ilyas Uzakbaev-Temecula, CA; Finnegan Long-Glenwood Springs, CO; and Ryan Wall-Oklahoma City, OK.  

Launched in the summer of 2021, the U.S. AFJROTC program at Fairmont State quickly gained recognition. By October of the same year, the Fairmont State University Aviation Center of Excellence was honored at the Annual Review of the United States Air Force Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps and Aviation Accreditation Board International Flight Academy in Atlanta, GA, and was among four universities highlighted as notable programs. 

As one of just 20 universities nationwide partnering with the U.S. Air Force, Fairmont State offers exceptional opportunities for JROTC, Reserve Officer Training Corps, Civil Air Patrol, and Air Force Academy cadets, while accelerating flight training for future airmen and women. Admission to the AFJROTC Flight Academy is highly competitive, with candidates meeting the rigorous standards required of U.S. Air Force Academy applicants. 

To view photos of the event, visit https://photos.fairmontstate.edu/Events/AFROTC-Graduation-Ceremony-2024. To watch the recorded ceremony, visit https://mountaineast.tv/fairmont/?B=1139297. To learn more about Fairmont State's Aviation program, visit  https://www.fairmontstate.edu/academics/programs/aviation-administration/default.aspx.