Nogales, AZ. coincides with it's sister city of Nogales, Sonora in Mexico, on the southern US-MX international border. Comprised of 95% Hispanic and Mexican-American citizens, the local population is exposed to the full spectrum of trans-national and socio-economical challenges, typical of any international border town environment in the United States. Faced with these challenges, the NHS AFJROTC program supports local community efforts by providing services in a number of academic curriculum, achievement scholarships, club activities, and wellness, fitness and life-skills program offerings.

Academic, programs and unit activities; include but are not solely limited to, aerospace science, global and cultural studies, military drill and ceremony, leadership education, wellness and fitness, participation in annual field trips, attending summer leadership schools, attending summer academic honors camps, contributing to community services, and participating in cadet flight programs.

Unit goals for the 2008-2009 academic school year include:

·        Exceeding established Nogales High School academic standards across the entire curriculum spectrum.

·        Expanding unit program orientation efforts throughout the local middle and elementary school community.

·        Exceed current unit program standards by sustaining, if not exceed cadet corps participation levels.

·        Expand unit program community outreach services; to include, augmenting the number of volunteer cadets supporting the local Nogales High School special education program.

The Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program, at Nogales High School (NHS AFJROTC) was established in July of 1995, as an extra-curricular character-building education program. The activation of AFJROTC unit AZ-952, brought with it a robust academic and leadership-building structured curriculum which provides Nogales High School with expanded options, covering the full spectrum of academic, leadership, character and citizenship excellence.

Since it's activation in July of 1995, AZ-952 has carried on the proud time-honored and distinguished tradition that prepares young people to be the leaders of tomorrow through a blend of education, military-based discipline and training experiences. The first AFJROTC program was organized in 1911 when a formal curriculum was designed to merge traditional education with military training in a public high school in the city of Cheyenne, Wyoming. The first curriculum offered instruction in the advantages of a strong body and a clean mind, the value of self-control and restraint, and highlighted upholding personal civic duties and responsibilities.

With a modest beginning of only 20 units in 1966, the AFJROTC program has grown to over 740 units operating throughout the world with more than 104,000 cadets enrolled globally.  The enrollment of young women alone is more than 45,300 strong accounting for 43 percent of the cadet corps. Today's NHS AFJROTC program continues to proudly serve the local community of Nogales, Arizona and other neighboring Santa Cruz and southern Pima county patrons. With it's winning combination of academic, leadership, character-building and community service oriented activities, it accomplishes it's dedicated mission of developing young men and women of character who serve their community and nation with distinction and honor.