The ORDP is comprised of two components with slightly different objectives and different focus. ORDP's experienced US Air Force and aviation connected mentors and program staff are dedicated to providing students that fall within both components with the practical information, guidance and support they will need to become the aviation experts and leaders not only in the Air Force but in the world around us.

Middle and High School students (for ages 12-17)


Students whose eligibility falls within this group must have the consent of their parent or legal guardian prior to being contacted by the ORDP or accepted into the program.

 

This program focuses on mentoring the student early in their educational career so that if later on they choose to pursue a career in the Air Force, they are better prepared to meet the eligibility requirements for a scholarship from the AFROTC. Students are matched with a mentor for a long-term mentoring program designed to increase their awareness and exploration of the opportunities that are available to them in the AFJROTC, AFROTC, and Air Force; particularly as minority students.

Students will be matched with mentors who will help them achieve success though a focus on:

Character Building

  • Values
  • Community Service
  • Inter-generational Understanding
  • Respect for Diversity
  • Sportsmanship
  • Teamwork

Educational Achievement

  • College Preparation and Career Exploration
  • Space and Aviation Programs
  • Math, Science and Technology
  • Cultural Learning
  • Maintaining GPA requirements

Physical & Mental Fitness

  • Self-Care
  • Exercise and Sports
  • Proper Diet
  • Rest and Relaxation
  • Healthy Behaviors

Life Skills Development

  • Relationship/Interpersonal skills
  • Creative and Critical Thinking skills
  • Communications Skills
  • Problem solving
  • Coping with Emotions and Stress
  • Decision Making skills

Students participating in the ORDP will also be directed to space and aviation focused programs appropriate to their age. Examples of these programs are:

Aviation Career Enhancement (ACE) Camps
(sponsored by the Organization of Black Airline Pilots),
Space Camp,
Junior ROTC,
Eagle Scout Explorer Program,
Civil Air Patrol,
Local rocketry and
Model airplane building programs.

 

High School seniors and In-College freshmen and sophomores

The second component of the program is for student candidates who have completed the mentoring during ages 12-17 or are high school seniors (home-schooled equivalent are also welcome). College freshmen and sophomores wanting to compete for available AFROTC scholarships and/or have a strong interest in aviation or a career as an Air Force officer are welcomed candidates for the ORDP. Student candidates will be mentored in the same areas of Character, Educational Achievement, Physical and Mental Fitness, Life Skills as above but with a strategic focus to increase their physical, mental and academic capabilities needed to compete for AFROTC scholarship programs.

There are a number of scholarships that the students can be eligible for upon completion of the mentoring program including but not limited to technical and non-technical majors such as Nursing, Foreign Area/Foreign language studies, Computer, Electrical and Aerospace Engineering. The possibilities are extensive and represent the broad spectrum of careers with the US Air Force.