It started with a thought that proposed an action, and in turn, came about the AFJROTC here at Dickinson High School. The National Defense Act of 1916 authorized the first JROTC units. The 88th Congress of the United States through Public Law 88-647 established the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps (AFJROTC) program on October 13, 1964. With a modest beginning of 20 units in 1966, Air Force Junior ROTC has grown to 894 units throughout the world. One of those premier units was initialized in 1971 by the area recruiting officer and implemented under the lead and control of Colonel Thomas E. Sledge and Senior Master Sergeant Horak in September 1973. The inaugural Texas 83rd Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet Corps class paved the way for what has become a vessel of opportunity for many students to develop leadership and life skills throughout the years. To this very day, under the leadership of Captain Craig Metz and Master Sergeant Rory Brack, the unit follows in the footsteps of its predecessors' visionary minds by building upon the foundational principles established some 38 years ago.