History of AL-934
The AFJROTC unit at BCHS began in August of 1993, when the school was originally called “Jess Lanier
High School.” The initial faculty consisted of the Lt Col. Curtis McCarty as the Senior Aerospace Science
Instructor, and three Aerospace Science Instructors; Maj. Rufus Biggs, CMSgt Billy Henson and SMSgt
Elijah Porter. At the time of its inception, AL-934 was the largest AFJROTC unit in the nation with 438
cadets. The very next year, that number rose to 540 cadets.
Over the last three decades, the cadets of AL-934 have garnered numerous awards and recognitions,
particularly in the area of unarmed drill competition. In 1998, AL-934 took 5th place overall at the US
National Competition. They followed this up with 1st place finishes at the VFW competitions in 1999 and
8 AL-934 Cadet Guide 25 MAY 2023
2000. In both 2009 and 2010, AL-934’s Drill Team took third place at the Mustang Classic Drill
Competition, as well as the Best in Inspection award in 2009.
In January 2010, Jess Lanier High School became Bessemer City High School, but AL-934 continued to
represent as one of the premier AFJROTC units in the state of Alabama.