AFJROTC Military Ball Information - Jefferson County Schools

AFJROTC MILITARY BALL
These are the general guidelines that address the majority of questions that come up.
These guidelines are established by generally accepted protocol and by the teachers, cadet
leaders, and in collaboration with the membership of the Kitty Hawk Air Society,
Check with a teacher for a situation not covered here.
WHAT: A formal dinner and dance. This is not homecoming or prom—it’s way better! It is a
mandatory AFJROTC event and counts for three grades—for attending (it’s a practical test),
behavior/decorum, and dress and appearance.
WHEN: Saturday, February 23 rd , 6:30-11 pm. You can leave as early as 9:30 pm.
WHERE: Clarion Hotel in Shepherdstown. Enter through the Banquet Entrance, when looking
at the front of the hotel the entrance is on the left end. Do not use the main entrance.
COST: Free for cadets (covered by activity fee). $30 for guests not in Jefferson AFJROTC,
payable when you pick up your ticket. For cadets to bring a non-Jefferson AFJROTC guest,
your activity fee must be paid in full. There is a limit on guests; first come, first served. Seniors
have first choice through January 31 st . Other cadets can purchase tickets starting February 1 st .
Ticket sales open January 21 st , and end February 8 th .
GUEST FORMS: All guests must have a Military Ball Guest Form; available for download
from the Cadet Resource Center web page.
Former cadets can only attend with permission from the teachers. Check with a teacher before
you invite a former cadet.
Guests cannot be 21 years old or older.
PARENT CHAPERONES: We have plenty; please tell your parents not to ask! We have a set
process for chaperones to share the opportunity with as many parents as possible. Parents can
only chaperone one time. Please help parents understand it is best for Jefferson AFJROTC to
expose as many parents to the Ball as possible. Chaperones attend free.
If a parent who has been a chaperone before insists on coming, and space is available, they must
pay $30 each. They will sit with their child; not at the chaperone’s table. We will not know if
space is available until February 13 th .
DRESS CODE:
Males: Cadets wear Service Dress Uniform. Male Guests should wear a suit, coat and
tie, or Tuxedo.
Females: Cadets may wear the Service Dress Uniform with Skirt or an appropriate dress
meeting the requirements. Female guests wear an appropriate dress meeting the
requirements.
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Dress requirements:
Military Ball dresses are described as knee length or longer. Dresses that are knee
length in one area and longer in another are fine.
Dresses that are described as "short" or "mini" are inappropriate. Dresses that are
short or mini in one area and longer elsewhere are inappropriate. Dresses that are
short or mini with a "see-through" layer over it are inappropriate.
Slits in dresses will not be above the fingertip measurement when your hands are
at your side and your shoulders are relaxed. This is just a guideline, so if this
measurement does not cover your bottom side then the dress is obviously too
short.
Coverage: No two-piece dresses of any kind and no revealing large cut outs.
Backless dresses must be cut above the waistline. Plunging necklines are
inappropriate. Please make sure private parts are adequately covered throughout
the process of enjoying the Ball. Dresses that are too revealing when sitting
down, bending over, dancing, etc. are not appropriate.
Using these criteria as a guide, here's a website to help you find some acceptable
(and unacceptable) ideas: http://www.grandgown.com/2013-evening-dresses/?p=2
See MSgt Stephanie Poe if you have questions concerning appropriateness.
Military Ball dresses need not be expensive. The gown website in the package
is to help you identify appropriateness; not how much to spend. Stores such as JC
Penny and Kohls have appropriate dresses that don't break the bank (especially
online). There are other websites as well--shop around.
Many females wear the same dress each year, trade off with friends, purchase one
from Goodwill (Bridal and Formal Shops, as well as individuals donate last year’s
fashions to Goodwill), or see Ms Woods (Vocal Music) who has dresses to save
on expenses.
FLOWERS: A corsage or boutonniere is not worn with the AFJROTC/military uniform. They
are appropriate when wearing other clothes at a Military Ball.
DINNER: Three course meal: salad, choice of chicken or beef, chocolate mousse and cake,
water, ice tea, and coffee.
Cadets must tell their teacher their meal choice (chicken or beef) by January 31 st .
Cadets with non AFJROTC guests must tell MSgt Will Poe what your guest will eat
when you purchase your ticket (NLT February 8th).
DOOR PRIZES: Yes we have them! We try to have one for every cadet. We need cadets to
help us get them.
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Ask your parents and business owners you know to help. See MSgt Will Poe if you or
your parents need a letter to get a donation.
Door prize ideas: Gift coupons (doesn’t have to be big), gift cards (a $10 Sheetz card for
gas is big for a cadet), movie passes, personal electronics, Avon gift baskets, a video
from Wal-Mart (when combined with a bag of microwave popcorn and a couple of sodas
is a popular one), iTunes gift cards, car wash passes, oil change/tune up coupons, as well
as haircut/manicure/pedicure coupons are just some ideas. Use your imagination!
We have had people donate tickets to a Washington Redskin and Nationals game, as well
as a signed NFL jersey (those are the exception!). If someone wants to help out but has
limited means, they can donate just a few dollars, which when combined with like
donations can add up to something big (like a flat screen TV)!
All individuals, families, and businesses that provide a door prize are recognized at the
Ball—free advertisement!
All door prizes need to be delivered to PORT 10 by Wednesday, February 20 th so they
can be prepared for the Ball.
Cadets must be present to win door prizes. If you leave at 9:30 pm and your name is
called later, you do not receive the door prize.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Yes we have a professional photographer! There is a Military Ball
Portrait Form and a Military Ball Saber Arch Picture Form (just for seniors) available for
download from the Cadet Resource Center web page. Cost and payment information is on the
form. Extra forms will be available at the Ball.
You must bring payment with you—no credit or IOUs are available.
Occasionally we have senior cadets without a date. If you would like to help out a senior
in this situation by being an escort or being escorted through the Saber Arch, see your
teacher to volunteer. We don’t know who may need an escort/be escorted. You are not
the senior’s date. This is open to all cadets. We encourage the senior to purchase these
volunteers a Saber Arch picture.
Military Ball Lesson: All cadets will receive instruction on Military Ball etiquette prior to
February 23 rd .
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