Unit GA-938, the Air Force Junior ROTC at Effingham County High School, has been selected by the Air Force to receive the 2013-14 Air Force Junior ROTC Distinguished Unit Award.

The award recognizes Air Force Junior ROTC units that have performed above and beyond normal expectations, and that have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their school and community while meeting the Air Force Junior ROTC mission of producing better citizens for America. It recognizes the personal growth and accomplishments of the cadets, the contributions of the instructors as mentors of the cadets, and the support of the school and community.

The Distinguished Unit Award is limited to the best of the best of the nation’s 900-plus Air Force Junior ROTC units worldwide. This marks the fourth consecutive year the corps of cadets at ECHS has earned the DUA, and the eighth time in the last 10 years.

Cadets at ECHS earned the inspection rating and award through the hard work and leadership of the two corps commanders, cadet Cols. Josie Woodward (first semester) and Kelsey Wilson (second semester).

The objectives of the Junior ROTC program are to educate and train high school cadets in citizenship and life skills; promote community service; instill responsibility, character and self-discipline through character education, and to provide instruction in air and space fundamentals. Enrollment is open to all young people who are in the ninth grade or higher, physically fit, and are citizens or nationals of the United States. Junior ROTC enrollment worldwide includes more than 120,000 cadets.