Media release from Rome, GA City Schools:
Rome High School’s Air Force JROTC holds itself to a high level. When cadets and leadership learned a standard needed to receive a high-level distinction changed midyear, the cadets adapted without hesitation.
“We were halfway done when they changed the rules on service hours. We didn’t have a lot of time to get more hours, but our kids, especially our seniors, really elevated and managed to get them. I’m very pleased with what they were able to do,” Colonel Seaborn Whatley, who is one of two instructors for the program, said.
That extra work paid off as Rome High’s Unit, GA-957, earned the Distinguished Unit Award with Merit for their efforts. The award comes after a year-long process, which included the unit exceeding expectations on their inspection, hitting their number of service hours, and more.
“Receiving the Distinguished Unit Award requires multiple parts. We had to exceed expectations overall on our inspection, meet all the requirements, and also reach the service hours,” Colonel Whatley said. “It’s really a year-long effort.”
“These awards recognize personal growth and accomplishments of the cadets, contributions of the instructors as mentors, and the support of the school and local community. Certainly, numerous AF/SF JROTC units are doing great things in their respective communities, but these units truly represent the best of our 828 AF/SF JROTC units worldwide. The cadets, instructors, and schools are to be commended for earning their award,” Colonel Matthew E. Tipton, USAF Director, HQ Air Force JROTC, wrote in a letter commending the units.
The Instructors, Master Sergeant Keith Thrash and Colonel Whatley, were also honored as 2025 AF/SF JROTC Outstanding Instructors.
“It’s always great to have your peers and your leadership recognize what you’re doing. I’m always humbled and proud to get recognized,” Colonel Whatley said. “Sergeant Thrash is an outstanding instructor. He’s been awarded a gold badge for instruction before. I think we have an awesome team.”
“We know that instructors go above and beyond each day. The ones we recognize with this award represent the “Best of the Best” we have in AF/SF JROTC. Through this award, we honor their exemplary contributions and impact on their cadets, school, and community. I extend my deepest appreciation to all winners for their dedication, hard work, and investment they have put into our AF/SF JROTC program and into our cadets. They represent the highest examples of the Air Force Core Values, which are crucial to the success of the AF/SF JROTC mission. Well done to all!” Colonel Tipton wrote.
Rome High Principal Parke Wilkinson also had lots of praise for the unit and the instructors.
“I’ve been saying this as long as I’ve been a part of Rome High School. The Air Force JROTC program changes lives. It makes kids better. It’s very influential,” Wilkinson said. “Students receive scholarships. They learn discipline, organization, physical fitness, and more. There are so many things that the program encompasses, and we’ve got two great leaders leading our students. I think that’s the biggest compliment I can give is that it changes students’ lives positively.”
Although it’s summer, things are already in motion for the squad for next school year.
“We had an awesome leadership team last year that was outgoing, and they did a great job of training up the next leadership group,” Colonel Whatley said. “They have set the goal that they want to get it again.”
Photo from the Rome City Schools – Rome, GA Facebook page