Who Are We?

Please note that student/cadet positions for the 2018-2019 school year will be announced at our picnic in August.

Meet The Instructors

AFJROTC has two instructors, each in charge of teaching a different curriculum to cadets.

Lieutenant Colonel James Smith

Senior Aerospace Science Instructor (SASI): This is Lt Col Smith's second year teaching at Lafayette. He is very excited to be back! Col Smith was a cadet and a commander in the Lafayette MO 81st AFJROTC program. Lt Col James Smith retired as the Chief, Maintenance Policy & Programs, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Inspector General's Office. Lt Col Smith was a Distinguished Graduate from Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 207 at Parks College of Saint Louis University. He graduated and was commissioned in 1995 with a Bachelor's of Science in Aviation Maintenance Management. He also holds a Master's of Aerospace Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University of Daytona Beach, FL. During his Air Force career, he has commanded two aircraft maintenance squadrons and held aircraft maintenance positions in Air Combat Command, United States Air Forces Europe, Air Education & Training Command, Air Force Material Command, United States Central Command, and most recently in the Pacific Air Forces supporting E-3A/B, F-16CJ/C/D, A-10A/C, F-15C/D, UH-1N, C-5/17 and C/NC-130/H aircraft. He is married to Dana T. Smith from Greenville, MS and they have four children; Ethan, Genevieve, Tucker, & Garrett.

Master Sergeant Dave Cugier

Aerospace Science Instructor (ASI): Master Sergeant Dave Cugier is a twenty-year Air Force veteran who retired as a communications and computer superintendent. He is beginning his 25nd year of teaching at Lafayette High School. Dave teaches the Leadership and Management and self-improvement curriculum in the Air Force Junior ROTC program. He holds degrees in Logistics Management and Computer Science. He and his wife, Ellen, have four children, two daughter-in laws, a son-in-law and nine grandbabies. He can't remember all the grand kids names, but he has two boxer puppies named Oscar and Layla. His hobbies include marathon training/running, reading, golf, and more golf.