KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The Dobyns-Bennett High School Air Force Junior ROTC instructors and cadets earned an overall unit assessment score of “Exceeds Standards,” the highest rating attainable, during a recent Unit Evaluation conducted by Headquarters Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps representative, Chief Master Sergeant (Retired) R. Wayne Barron on March 20, 2017.

“Achieving a rating of ‘Exceeds Standards’ is no small feat - it takes a team effort and lots of hard work,” wrote Scott Lewis, Colonel (Retired), United States Air Force in his congratulatory letter to Colonel Eric Vogt, US Air Force (Retired) and Dobyns-Bennett Senior Aerospace Science Instructor. “Both of these attributes were evident throughout the course of this assessment. Chief Master Sergeant (Retired) Barron, was extremely impressed with your program - from the dedication and commitment of your fellow instructor (Angelo Pellitteri, Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force (Retired) and D-B Aerospace Science Instructor) to the professionalism and ownership displayed by the cadet corps. Your program defines the term ‘successful unit’ and establishes the benchmark for others to follow,” he added.

In addition, Cadet Colonel Willow Hunley-Bota and Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Toscany Cope, both former Cadet Squadron Commanders, were recognized as being the top cadets at Dobyns-Bennett and were awarded the national level “Top Performer” Award by the Air Force Inspector. Current Cadet Squadron Commander Cadet Major Sydney McDougal was commended for her outstanding performance during the inspection. 

The purpose of the visit was to evaluate the performance of the AF JROTC unit and to assess compliance with public law, Department of Defense and Air Force Instructions, and the written agreement which exists between Kingsport City Schools and the Air Force that governs the proper operation of the unit. Inspections are conducted every four years.

The unit is now eligible to compete for the Distinguished Unit with Merit Award for 2016-2017, which is only awarded to the top ten percent of AF JROTC units in the world.

“Our cadets performed magnificently in the past three years since the last inspection and particularly so in the lead-up to the inspection last week,” said Colonel Vogt. “Their hard work and attention to detail paid off and was recognized by HQ AF JROTC Inspector, Chief Master Sgt. (Retired) Wayne Barron.”

For the current school year, D-B Cadets have performed over 2,200 community service hours to date and collected over 5,900 pounds of food for Second Harvest Food Bank.

Since the D-B AF JROTC program was established in 2006, over 500 D-B students have participated in at least one semester. Of the D-B cadets who were active all four years, approximately nine percent joined the office or enlisted ranks of the Armed Services. Of those cadets, one is currently at the US Air Force Academy and one attended the US Coast Guard Midshipman. 

This year’s D-B AF JROTC graduates include cadets planning to join the US Naval Academy (Meaghan Allen) and the US Merchant Marine Academy (Willow Hunely-Bota). 

Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is a public school district located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins county. The district is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, a high school program of choice and an alternative learning program; with total enrollment over 7,500 students. The vision of Kingsport City Schools is to be, Student Focused … World Class.

KCS has been named the top school district in Tennessee as winner of the 2014 SCORE Prize District Award by the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) and has earned the 2014 Achievement Award in the annual Excellence in Tennessee Recognition Program by the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence (TNCPE).

For more information on KCS, visit k12k.com, listen live on WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, read our blog, We Are KCS, or call (423) 378.2100. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook (Kingsport City Schools), Twitter (@KCS_District) and check out our YouTube Channel (KPTSchools).

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