The school offers many activities and programs. There are so many; however, some are more talked about and known than others. One of these programs that many people do not know about is the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program (JROTC). Most students at the school most likely know this club from the uniforms worn by the students; however, the program has so much more to it than that.
“The Junior ROTC [is a] military type [of] program where they teach you discipline and leadership.” It involves volunteer work, color guard, teaching you about [the] military, integrity [and] it teaches you discipline.” Sophomore Caitlyn Trejo, a first year in the program, said.
The program at the school focuses on the Space Force, but JROTC can be connected to any branch of the military.
“The mission of the Space Force JROTC that [we] focus on is to develop citizens of character. Our program is a very hands-on and active class.” Colonel Mark Dierlam who helps to run the program said.
The JROTC program also gives students opportunities they might not get to experience otherwise
“One of our biggest advantages from being located in this area is we get to see a lot of important people within the military,” sophomore Jose Amperez said. “We’ve had trips to places like the Pentagon, the Marine Corps Museum, the Army Museum, so…being able to go to all these places that not all units get to experience is very unique to us.”
Amperez has many great memories from being in the program, and he and Trejo both agreed that the drill was a very fun thing they got to do that the program introduced them to.
“It’s like marching, in a way,” Trejo said. “It’s [a] 30-step drill sequence [that] you have to complete perfectly in order to be scored.”
Last February, the school’s JROTC team competed in a drill meet and won first place.
“We went in there with very high spirits, and I say it paid off,” Amperez said. “The whole team just felt very happy. We were all just together celebrating that we had achieved what we wanted.”
Amperez also compared the program to having a second family with other students and teachers who support and lift you up.
“We have really nice instructors that are willing to work with you, [the] unit as a whole has very nice people in it, we have very high unit retention… [and] unit cohesion too.” He said. “It’s just a big family…and we are always motivating each other.”
Trejo, Amperez and Col. Dierlam said they thought students should consider joining JROTC.
“I definitely think it’s worth joining,” Trejo said. “It’s really fun, and you make a lot of new friends and [you’re eligible for] scholarships. ” Col. Dierlam said, “Space Force JROTC is a great opportunity for students to try new things and be a part of an award-winning program.”
Because of the positive aspects, such as feelings of support and motivation, both Amperez and Trejo think it is very beneficial and really fun.
“If anyone is looking for any leadership experience [or] if they want to better their chances [of getting] into a prestigious university, I think it’s a very good program to have on your transcripts,” Amperez said. “We offer a lot of leadership opportunities throughout the year so if [that] is something you really want to work on or you think you’re good at, I think that’s really a selling point.”
“I definitely think if you want structure and a second family, I think you should really join,” Amperez said.
