This summer, senior and lieutenant of Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Alexis Holmes — one of the 28 students selected nationwide — attended the Delaware State United States Navy Program, proudly representing Georgia and NC. This program provided Holmes eight weeks of hard-core training in order to prepare her for a private pilot’s license. This program brought Holmes’ dreams to fly in the Navy one step closer. 

“I went on a field trip when I was younger where I toured a Cessna and that’s when I fell in love with planes. I fueled this passion along with my desire to help serve the country and decided that I wanted to fly for the United States Navy,” Holmes said.

As a child, Holmes always knew she wanted to help others by serving her country. During her freshman year she joined the JROTC to accomplish her goals and it led her to decide that she wanted to fly planes in the United States Navy. Continuing her journey through JROTC, she has earned her flying permit and also served as the public affairs officer, where her jobs consisted of delivering information and collecting content for social media platforms.  This year, as a senior, the JROTC decided to select Holmes as the lieutenant commander, better known as the commanding officer of JROTC, where she works to run the entire NC-Harrison NJROTC unit. Holmes shows her passion toward JROTC through attending various events such as community service opportunities, training sessions for herself or to support her peers, ceremonies and other events where she can assist.

“Alexis has been a great advertisement for the structure of our program (JROTC) and making sure people know of opportunities like the flight academy and the cadet of the year… she leads by example and holds a high standard for all the members in the North Cobb-Harrison ROTC program,” senior naval science instructor Commander Phillip Pasco said.

The completion of the prestigious eight week training camp inspired Holmes in various ways. Holmes  gained new ideals that she will keep throughout the rest of her aviation education and she achieved five college credits for aviation school. During this training, Holmes learned the basics of flying planes in the classroom as well as flying with an instructor at the Department of Aviation that includes 26 aircrafts. The aviation program focuses on five pillars that guide their students: dedication, safety, unity, attitude and professionalism, which represent the necessities of becoming a successful pilot. 

“This experience has impacted my integrity and my ability to learn and work with others with similar mindsets. It has helped me further my want and need for education especially involving aviation and military service. I think this was an amazing experience that was about $28,000 in worth so to get all of that training for free is something you could not pass up,” Holmes said.

Holmes plans to continue flying throughout her senior year in addition to leading NC’s ROTC to success. As she finishes out her time at NC, she hopes to use her experiences to inspire others. Whether they wish to fly or join ROTC, she encourages students to utilize all opportunities and advocate for their dreams.