Published: November 02, 2009 03:25 pm      

Getting their feet wet

NJROTC Brand New to GHS, Already Doing Great Things

GREENVILLE — This is the first year for the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) at the Greenville High School, but already administrators, trustees and members of the community are impressed with what they see.

The NJROTC curriculum emphasizes citizenship and leadership development, as well as maritime heritage, the significance of sea power and naval topics, such as the fundamentals of naval operations, seamanship, navigation and meteorology.

Classroom instruction is augmented throughout the year by community service activities, drill competition, field meets, flights, visits to naval activities, marksmanship training and other military training.

Funds for the program, as well as uniforms, textbooks, training aids, travel allowance and a substantial portion of instructor’s salaries are provided by the Navy.

While those associated with the school, as well as the public, are impressed by what they have seen thus far, no one is more excited about the program than the participating students.

“It teaches a lot of the Navy core values; honor, courage and commitment,” said Cadet Commander Korey Lincoln, whose future plans include becoming an officer in the Navy or Marine Corp. “It also teaches leadership, responsibility and respect.”

Cadet Lieutenant Commander Parker Francis is using the NJROTC to gain an advantage in his long-term plans.

“I’ve always had an interest in the military,” said Francis. “I’m trying to get into the Air Force Academy and I thought this could give me a leg up.”

The general consensus among cadets is that this is a unique program that they are excited to be a part of.

“This is the only school program where you are guaranteed a full scholarship,” said Lincoln. “Commander Reed can personally hand out a scholarship to every senior in this program, as long as we get a 1050 on the SAT, and that’s not hard.”

What drew Cadet Tyler King in was the diversity of the program.

“There’s something for everyone,” he said. “If you don’t like drill, you’ve got marksmanship, if you don’t like marksmanship, we’ve got academics. There’s diversity among the cadets as well. Lincoln grew up on a ranch and Parker is into building robots, but we’ve all become friends, which I seriously doubt would have happened without this program.”

While there are some students at the high school that don’t understand why these cadets are doing what they’re doing, most are merely curious or impressed.

“There’s a lot of students that respect it, but it’s just not their thing,” said Parker. “There’s always a small group of kids that think it’s funny and they mess with you about it, but most kids in the school understand why we’re doing it and respect it.”

Lincoln has had to deal with a few kids hassling him over his uniform — which the cadets are required to wear once a week — but he knows just what to say to end their mockery.

“I had a kid come up to me in class the other day and he was laughing,” said Lincoln. “I turned around and asked ‘Are you going to college?’ and he said ‘Yeah,” and I asked him ‘How are you going to pay for it?’ and he said ‘I gotta work’ and I said ‘Well, I don’t. My college is paid for.’ They pretty much keep quiet after that.”

Mostly though, the comments are of a positive nature.

“We get respect,” said Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Norma Ramirez. “Whenever I go to the store in my uniform I hear lots of ‘Yes, ma’am’ and ‘No, ma’ams.’”

According to Commander Reed, NJROTC instructor at GHS who has spent 12 years so far instructing the NJROTC, there are about 650 NJROTC units in the United States, with six new ones started in Texas, including Greenville.

“It’s still really early in the program,” said Reed. “Some of our courses haven’t been established yet, but we have established our staff and have begun stressing leadership. It’s really a unique program that has so many different subject areas. The student gets a well-rounded education in different fields, not just the military, but jobs they may get in the military or may seek out such as meteorology or aerodynamics.”

According to Reed, the NJROTC was brought to the school because GISD was looking for a program that instilled discipline and that had a connection to the military, since a lot of students were interested in the military.

“From what everyone tells me they’re extremely satisfied with the program and how it’s worked out,” said Reed. “Our mission is to build leaders to go out there, further their education and run this great country.”

Even though the program is relatively new to GHS, the NJROTC already has several appearances planned for the upcoming month, including posting the colors at the Nov. 9 Veterans Vigil at Texas A&M University-Commerce, the 18th anniversary of the program.

“We’ll post the colors on the ninth and pick them up on the eleventh,” said Reed. “Our drill team will also be performing at the Veteran’s Day Celebration, held in the high school gymnasium Nov. 11. We’re really looking forward to showing the public what these kids have accomplished so far.”