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THS AFJROTC
Resources
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Tecumseh High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corp (AFJROTC)
Developing Citizens of Character since 1988.
2024 Distinguished Unit with Merit!
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It is each cadet’s own responsibility to ensure they are wearing the Air Force Uniform properly. The guide available below provides instructions as to the proper requirements.
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The AFJROTC program offers high school students a unique chance to develop leadership, teamwork, and technical skills while exploring a variety of exciting clubs and teams. There's something for everyone, whether you're into fitness, technology, creativity, or competition.
Join one of these dynamic teams and clubs:
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Drill Team: Showcase precision and discipline in competitive and ceremonial drill events.
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Color Guard: Represent our school at events by performing in parades, ceremonies, and athletic games.
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Raider Team: Focus on physical fitness, obstacle courses, and outdoor challenges.
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JLAB (Junior Leadership and Academic Bowl): Test your knowledge and leadership skills in national academic competitions.
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Model Rocketry: Learn the principles of flight and design your own rockets.
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Cyber Patriot: Explore cybersecurity challenges and compete in digital defense.
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Weapons and Tactics: Develop safety and strategic skills in simulated environments.
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Guitar Club: Express yourself musically and learn new techniques alongside fellow students.
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Orienteering: Navigate outdoor courses using maps and compasses in exciting competitions.
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Art Club: Channel your creativity into artistic projects and collaborative work.
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Kitty Hawk Air Society: Join this elite honor society dedicated to academics, leadership, and service.
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UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) Club: Dive into drone technology and its real-world applications.
The AFJROTC program is about more than uniforms and drills—it’s a chance to build lifelong skills, make new friends, and push your boundaries. For more information, visit the AFJROTC office or speak with your instructors. Be part of something extraordinary!
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The Tecumseh AFJROTC Association is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) Corporation (EIN #45-4403900). It was created to support the Tecumseh AFJROTC program. The Boosters consist of parents, community members, and alumni who wish to provide ongoing support to the Cadets of the OH-881st. Booster parents support the program in a variety of ways including fundraising, chaperoning and organizing events in cooperation with the instructors of the Tecumseh AFJROTC program.
Meetings are normally held the second Monday of every month and are open to all parents, alumni, or community members. Please check the unit calendar for meeting updates as well as other Booster events and opportunities to support the AFJROTC Cadets.
Major James D. Couch, USAF (Ret)
James D. Couch was born in 1970 in Dayton, Ohio, and graduated from Greenon High School in Springfield, Ohio in 1989. He voluntarily enlisted in the United States Air Force prior to Desert Shield/Storm in April of 1990. After completing 6 weeks of basic training at Lackland Air force Base, he attended the Security Police Academy at Lackland. His training them took him on to attend the Air Base Ground Defense Course held at Fort Dix in New Jersey.
Upon completion of his training in 1990, Major Couch had several assignments to include the Security Forces Alarm Response Team Leader and S-4 in Sembach AB, Germany from August 1990-August 1993, Security Escort Team Leader at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming from September 1993-June 1996, NCOIC Personnel Readiness Unit at Vandenburg Air Force Base in California from July 1996-August 1999, Security Forces Resources and Training in Little Rock AFB in Arkansas from July 2001-July 2003, Delta Flight Commander, 48 Security Forces Squadron, RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom from August 2003-August 2004, Security Forces Training and Resources Flight Commander, 48 Security Forces Squadron, RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom from August 2004-January 2006, Operations Flight Commander, 349 Recruiting Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma from January 2006-August 2009, National Police Training Coordinator, MNSTC-I/CPATT in Baghdad, Iraq from March 2008-March 2009, Operations Officer, 10th Security Forces United States Air Force Academy in Colorado from August 2009-February 2012, Chief, Plans and Requirements, Peterson AFB in Colorado from February 2012-June 2013, Commander, 10th Security Forces United States Air Force Academy in Colorado from June 2013-August 2013, Chief, Plans and Requirements, Peterson AFB in Colorado from August 2013-June 2014 and Commander of the 78th Security Forces Squadron at Robins AFB in Georgia from June 2014-September 2014.
Major Couch's major military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and the Air Force Expeditionary Service ribbon with Gold Border.
Upon retirement, Major Couch immediately interviewed and accepted employment with Tecumseh Local Schools as the Senior Aerospace Instructor in January 2015.
Schools attended: Security Police Academy, Ground Combat Skills Course Level I and II, Associates Degree in Criminal Justice, Community College of the Air Force, B.A. in Sociology from Wright State University, Security Forces Officer School, Ground Combat Skills Level 4, First Responders/Hazmat/Disaster Control, Ground Defense Command Course, Anti-Terrorist/Force Protection Level II, Squadron Officer School, Security Forces Command Course.
Major Couch is married to the former Brenda K. Garman. They have 3 children: Brittany, Ashley, and Tyler. Their family also includes their son-in-law A1C Mathew D. Miller who is married to their oldest child.
The Mission
The mission of Air Force Junior ROTC is to "Develop citizens of character." AFJROTC is open to all 9th-12th grade students. Our program encourages students to get involved in their local communities and become well-informed, participating citizens.
The Corps
Recipient of the "Air Force JUNIOR ROTC Distinguished Unit Award" each of the last 19 years, including six "With Merit" designations (most recent 2024). The award places the unit in the top 10% of all 892 AFJROTC units worldwide.
Recipient of Eight First Place and two Second Place Awards in the last eleven years from the Reserve Officers Association of the State of Ohio as "Outstanding Junior ROTC Unit in the State Of Ohio." Sixty-four JROTC units in Ohio from all military services compete for the award.
The OH-881 Regional Drill Meet, held since 1989, received special recognition from the Congress of the United States with a "Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition" from Congressman Steve Austria for "Outstanding and Invaluable Service to the Community."
The Cadets perform thousands of hours of community and school service each year. Over the last four years, the Cadets have averaged over 3100 community service hours per year.
Chief Master Sergeant Dennie H. Orcutt, USAF (Ret)
Chief Orcutt is the Air Force Junior ROTC Aerospace Science Instructor at the OH-881st, Tecumseh High School, New Carlisle Ohio. The mission of AFJROTC is to "Develop citizens of character." The program is designed to educate and train high school students in citizenship, promote community service, instill personal responsibility, character, and self-discipline through classroom and extracurricular activities. The Air Force Junior ROTC program is grounded in the Air Force core values of “integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.”
Chief Orcutt was an OK-81st AFJROTC cadet prior to enlisting in the Air Force in 1991. After basic training, he graduated the fuels specialist course at Chanute AFB, Ill. His background includes a myriad of roles including, information technology, recruiting, commander’s action group, protocol, Headquarters AFROTC, Civil Air Patrol-USAF, and additional-duty First Sergeant. He has served in every Air Force Component and status, and deployed in-theatre to support Operations Desert Storm/Provide Comfort, and Enduring Freedom.
CMSgt Orcutt’s final active assignment was at the Pentagon, Headquarters United States Air Force as Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Force Management Integration, Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
Major James D. Couch, USAF (Ret)
James D. Couch was born in 1970 in Dayton, Ohio, and graduated from Greenon High School in Springfield, Ohio in 1989. He voluntarily enlisted in the United States Air Force prior to Desert Shield/Storm in April of 1990. After completing 6 weeks of basic training at Lackland Air force Base, he attended the Security Police Academy at Lackland. His training them took him on to attend the Air Base Ground Defense Course held at Fort Dix in New Jersey.
Upon completion of his training in 1990, Major Couch had several assignments to include the Security Forces Alarm Response Team Leader and S-4 in Sembach AB, Germany from August 1990-August 1993, Security Escort Team Leader at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming from September 1993-June 1996, NCOIC Personnel Readiness Unit at Vandenburg Air Force Base in California from July 1996-August 1999, Security Forces Resources and Training in Little Rock AFB in Arkansas from July 2001-July 2003, Delta Flight Commander, 48 Security Forces Squadron, RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom from August 2003-August 2004, Security Forces Training and Resources Flight Commander, 48 Security Forces Squadron, RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom from August 2004-January 2006, Operations Flight Commander, 349 Recruiting Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma from January 2006-August 2009, National Police Training Coordinator, MNSTC-I/CPATT in Baghdad, Iraq from March 2008-March 2009, Operations Officer, 10th Security Forces United States Air Force Academy in Colorado from August 2009-February 2012, Chief, Plans and Requirements, Peterson AFB in Colorado from February 2012-June 2013, Commander, 10th Security Forces United States Air Force Academy in Colorado from June 2013-August 2013, Chief, Plans and Requirements, Peterson AFB in Colorado from August 2013-June 2014 and Commander of the 78th Security Forces Squadron at Robins AFB in Georgia from June 2014-September 2014.
Major Couch's major military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and the Air Force Expeditionary Service ribbon with Gold Border.
Upon retirement, Major Couch immediately interviewed and accepted employment with Tecumseh Local Schools as the Senior Aerospace Instructor in January 2015.
Schools attended: Security Police Academy, Ground Combat Skills Course Level I and II, Associates Degree in Criminal Justice, Community College of the Air Force, B.A. in Sociology from Wright State University, Security Forces Officer School, Ground Combat Skills Level 4, First Responders/Hazmat/Disaster Control, Ground Defense Command Course, Anti-Terrorist/Force Protection Level II, Squadron Officer School, Security Forces Command Course.
Major Couch is married to the former Brenda K. Garman. They have 3 children: Brittany, Ashley, and Tyler. Their family also includes their son-in-law A1C Mathew D. Miller who is married to their oldest child.