Kanak, Thomas

T. "Donavan" Kanak, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (retired)

I am entering my fifth year at KPARK and excited to be back!

KPARK Air Force Junior ROTC is a 4-year program, but students can join any year during High School.  Curriculum incorporates leadership and science topics with an emphasis on developing students to become responsible citizens. We get them ready for their post-High-School careers, whatever they may be.  Classes are blended with members from every grade level with exception for our Aviation electives.  We have two special electives for Intro to Flight (10-12th grade only) and Aviation Ground School (11-12th grade only)

Aviation Ground School (AGS) will be offered every even year (for example 23-24 is 2024, even year) and the prerequisite (Intro to Flight) will be taught on the odd years (this school year, 22-23). In AGS, we cover topics needed to pass the FAA knowledge test and begin Flying lessons to earn an FAA private pilot's license.

We continue to add more STEM curriculum to the program. The Air Force has funded a flight simulator for our classroom! We did not have an opportunity to utilize it last year, but we will incorporate it this year.  This will supplement our aviation courses with some hands-on experience.

We also have a multicopter kit on order that we will begin to incorporate this year. A set of 5 drones has been funded by the US Air Force and should be delivered this Fall.

We have multiple optional extra-curricular activities in which students may participate and compete, and community service is also a very important aspect of our program.

Class Schedule:
1st-  JROTC - Intro to Aviation
2nd- JROTC
3rd-  JROTC - Intro to Aviation
4th-  Conference
5th-  JROTC
6th-  JROTC
7th-  JROTC

I grew up in Victoria, Texas and attended college at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado. I spent my 20-year Air Force career as a pilot of the KC-135R, performing air refueling missions. I have a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master's degree in Business Administration.