Fairmont State Aviation Center of Excellence to welcome second JROTC summer cohort

The Fairmont State University Aviation Center of Excellence is preparing to welcome its second class of cadets to the summer 2022 U.S. Air Force Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps Flight Academy, comprised of eight incoming high school seniors from across the nation. Summer 2022 cadets will report to the Fairmont State main campus on Saturday, June 4 where they will reside for the entirety of the eight-week program.

Candidates will experience instruction similar to Air Force Academy flight training, allowing cadets to fly one to two times each day, six days per week. The selection process for the AFJROTC Summer Flight Academy is highly competitive, with all cadets meeting the components required of U.S. Air Force Academy candidates.

The Fairmont State Aviation Center of Excellence has tailored program learning objectives to prepare cadets for future military and flight careers.

“A large number of our staff at the Aviation Center of Excellence are former or current military flight instructors, and therefore, have a first-hand understanding of the needs of our cadets and how we can best position their training to meet their goals,” said Chief Pilot and Fairmont State Aviation Center of Excellence Director, Joel Kirk. “Our niche is that we are small, and students will benefit from our ‘quality over quantity’ philosophy, with more one-on-one, specialized attention.”

Fairmont State University launched its U.S. Air Force JROTC program in the summer of 2021. In October, the Fairmont State University Aviation Center of Excellence was recognized at the United States Air Force Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps and Aviation Accreditation Board International Flight Academy Annual Review in Atlanta, and was amongst four universities named notable programs.

Fairmont State is one of 23 universities throughout the nation that has partnered with the U.S. Air Force to provide opportunities to JROTC cadets, while also expediting flight training for future airmen.

Fairmont State University Aviation Center of ExcellenceACEUnited States Air ForceJROTCUSAFJROTCJoel Kirk