West Orange High School Senior Receives Appointment to United States Air Force Academy

West Orange High School Junior Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Mountaineer Squadron Commander, Cadet Major Ginamarie Arrabito, has received her appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, beginning June 25.

Arrabito will head to Colorado Springs just three days after her graduation from West Orange High School. She and 1,200 other cadets will then begin a four-year process of becoming an United States Air Forces Officer. Upon graduation from the academy, Arrabito will hold the rank of Second Lieutenant.

West Orange High School JROTC Major Joe Marchesini emphasized Arrabito’s accomplishment.

“Only 8 percent of applicants are selected, and tuition, room and board are included in what amounts to an approximate $350,000 scholarship,” Marchesini said in a release from WOHS. “In addition, the Air Force Academy is considered to be one of the finest, most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the nation, and Ginamarie will be one of approximately 200 females accepted into the program.”

Arrabito said going into the military has always been a goal of hers and is the reason why she joined the JROTC program at West Orange High School.

“I want to be a pilot,” Arrabito said in the release. “I’ve already started taking flying lessons and really love it. As of right now, I’m interested in flying helicopters or Bombers like the B2.”

According to the Air Force Personnel Center demographics, women first entered pilot training in 1976 and fighter pilot training in 1993. There are currently 678 female pilots, 272 navigators, 217 air battle managers.

Arrabito plans to pursue a degree in political science and a career in the military afterward.

“I plan to stay with the Air Force for as long as they’ll have me,” Arrabito said.

(Photo courtesy of West Orange Public Schools)