The Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) was founded in 1911 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, by Army Lieutenant Edgar R. Steevers.  Lieutenant Steevers envisioned a non-compulsory cadet corps comprised of high school students.  His program was aimed toward making better citizens.  In 1964, the Secretaries of each military service were directed to establish and maintain JROTC units for their respective services.

From a modest beginning of 20 units in 1966 the Air Force JROTC has grown to over 600 units throughout the world with current enrollment of over 103,000 cadets.