Brevard County high school JROTC program converts from Air Force to Space Force

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — On Friday, the Space Coast Junior/Senior High School in Cocoa is converting its JROTC program from the Air Force to Space Force.

Officials say the school is one of 10 nationally in JROTC to agree to make the change.

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The formal changeover is scheduled for Friday afternoon.

Military.com reported that retired Lt. Col. Joseph Stevens and retired Senior Master Sgt. John Werner lead Space Coast’s JROTC program, which began during the 2008-2009 school year. Stevens said coming under the Space Force, which was created in December 2019, has been a smooth transition for the program’s 123 students.

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“The principles are basically identical,” Stevens told Military.com. “We wear different uniforms, but what this program is about is making better people, better citizens for our country and nation. That is the common theme, common denominator for all programs, so whether it’s Air Force, Space Force, any of the other branches, we’re all going to have the same mission of making better students, better citizens.”

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