This past Saturday instead of spending the early morning hours in a deer stand, set deep in the woods, on the opening day of bow season my family and I headed to a JROTC Raider Meet. JROTC stands for Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. Raiders are the group of cadets in JROTC who take it upon themselves to meet throughout the summer, and after school to train on obstacle course, rope bridge and relay for close to two hours each day of the week. That's devotion, dedication. That same devotion and dedication will also be what propels them forward in their military career.
Our first meet of the year took place at Jackson County Comprehensive High School in Jefferson, GA. It's a beautiful campus set in a rural atmosphere. The obstacle course is immaculate, and offered a variety of challenges for JROTC cadets arriving from multiple high schools around the state. As the sun topped the trees, the brisk morning air created a comfortable setting for our Cadet's first event. Just as any military organization would, they formed their lines, and marched their way to the first event; obstacle course.
Just as our High School Raider Competition event began, I noticed a group of children. It looked like a recreational football league was preparing for a game on the same day as our event. As our cadets were being prompted on the rules for the course, the football announcer could be heard in the background, "Please stand for our National Anthem." Although our Cadets weren't part of the football league, or had anything with the football games about to take place, as soon as the anthem began, each and every member of service men/women volunteering to help with the competition, and each and every cadet on campus stood at attention and turned their bodies to face the music. There they stood, motionless and quiet until the anthem ended.
What most people don't know of JROTC is that IT IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM sponsored by the UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES in high schools and some middle schools. It initially took off under the National Defense Act of 1916 and was expanded under the 1964 ROTC Vitalization Act. This program is in PLACE to instill in students in United States secondary educational institutions the values of CITIZENSHIP, service to the United States, personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment" (Title 10 of the United States Code). JROTC does just that (Wikimedia).
JROTC also aides cadets in developing citizenship, patriotism, SELF-RELIANCE and responsiveness to all authority. The program helps improve students ability to communicate written and orally as well as develop an appreciation of the importance of physical fitness; as demonstrated through Raider Training and Competition. The Cadets will also develop a respect for the role of the U.S. Armed Force in support of national objectives. They will learn team building and basic military skills. To top it all off, after taking 3-4 years of JROTC in high school, the cadets are granted the ability to rank higher if they decide to pursue a military career. In a February, 2000 testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, the armed services chiefs of staffed testified that 30-50% of graduating JROTC cadets join the military. I'm not sure of the percentage nationwide as of 2017, but I can testify that 80-90% of the JROTC Cadets graduating in 2016 joined some form of armed forces institution. General Collin Powell indicated in his 1995 autobiography that "inner-city kids, many from broken homes, found stability and role models in JROTC" (Wikimedia, 2017, August 22).
Not many parents come out to support the JROTC Raiders Competitions as they would football or other high school sports programs. I feel if any programs needing the support of parents, for those young adults about to embark into armed forces, it would be the JROTC program.
As I sat and watched the cadets compete this beautiful, fall day, I noticed a camaraderie unknown in any other sport. The lasting friendships of sharing common values, and a common love for the country we all live. This camaraderie will carry throughout their lifetime.
In mid day of competing the cadets made their way to the football field where teams of recreational sized football players (7-10 age range) and cheerleaders covered the field and track. Although they were playing ball at the high school, and the JROTC Raider event was a high school event, the cadets were met with detention and disrespect from the cheerleaders, coaches and football teams. It was apparent the cadets were sharing the track and field with this football league. The cadets were respectful as they only consumed ONE lane on the track for their running event. Nor did they intentionally plow into the cheerleaders who disrespectfully and deliberately did flips in front of the cadets as they made their way down the track.
When a cadet's parent tried to prevent the cheerleaders, coaches and football team members from crossing the running cadet's path, or blocking the lane they were using, one coach said to the cadet's parent, "I don't even know why you are here."
These cadets spent every morning of their summer break and each evening after school training for these events just to be met with adversary. I understand football is bread and butter for most schools and educational institutions, but the detention and disrespect we received from these people was appalling. They were intentionally blocking the lane as it was apparent that the cheerleaders only did flips as the runners approached. It was apparent that although they were sharing the track, the football league felt their sport took precedence. I was appalled by that type of disrespect, the same disrespect most self-righteous people display toward our military men and women, or service men and women on a daily basis.
I could have been in the woods hunting, but I support these boys and girls because most of them ARE faced with adversity. MOST of these kids do need the structure. MOST of these boys and girls are going to graduate to become SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN. This is our future... I'd rather them seek to serve than be overly indulged children and adults who think they are the only one's who have a right, or a voice. It will be THEIR RIGHT AND VOICE that these same cadets will FIGHT for. At the end of the day, these cadets deserve to be respected.
If I could encourage anyone to do anything, it would be to support our JROTC programs. Just as you'd get fired up over those not standing for the anthem at our NFL football games... get fired up about our kids who are standing for a National Anthem playing in the background of an event that doesn't even pertain to them.
SUPPORT YOUR High School JROTC PROGRAMS just as you would any other recreational sport, or high school organization.
Our first meet of the year took place at Jackson County Comprehensive High School in Jefferson, GA. It's a beautiful campus set in a rural atmosphere. The obstacle course is immaculate, and offered a variety of challenges for JROTC cadets arriving from multiple high schools around the state. As the sun topped the trees, the brisk morning air created a comfortable setting for our Cadet's first event. Just as any military organization would, they formed their lines, and marched their way to the first event; obstacle course.
Just as our High School Raider Competition event began, I noticed a group of children. It looked like a recreational football league was preparing for a game on the same day as our event. As our cadets were being prompted on the rules for the course, the football announcer could be heard in the background, "Please stand for our National Anthem." Although our Cadets weren't part of the football league, or had anything with the football games about to take place, as soon as the anthem began, each and every member of service men/women volunteering to help with the competition, and each and every cadet on campus stood at attention and turned their bodies to face the music. There they stood, motionless and quiet until the anthem ended.
What most people don't know of JROTC is that IT IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM sponsored by the UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES in high schools and some middle schools. It initially took off under the National Defense Act of 1916 and was expanded under the 1964 ROTC Vitalization Act. This program is in PLACE to instill in students in United States secondary educational institutions the values of CITIZENSHIP, service to the United States, personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment" (Title 10 of the United States Code). JROTC does just that (Wikimedia).
JROTC also aides cadets in developing citizenship, patriotism, SELF-RELIANCE and responsiveness to all authority. The program helps improve students ability to communicate written and orally as well as develop an appreciation of the importance of physical fitness; as demonstrated through Raider Training and Competition. The Cadets will also develop a respect for the role of the U.S. Armed Force in support of national objectives. They will learn team building and basic military skills. To top it all off, after taking 3-4 years of JROTC in high school, the cadets are granted the ability to rank higher if they decide to pursue a military career. In a February, 2000 testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, the armed services chiefs of staffed testified that 30-50% of graduating JROTC cadets join the military. I'm not sure of the percentage nationwide as of 2017, but I can testify that 80-90% of the JROTC Cadets graduating in 2016 joined some form of armed forces institution. General Collin Powell indicated in his 1995 autobiography that "inner-city kids, many from broken homes, found stability and role models in JROTC" (Wikimedia, 2017, August 22).
Not many parents come out to support the JROTC Raiders Competitions as they would football or other high school sports programs. I feel if any programs needing the support of parents, for those young adults about to embark into armed forces, it would be the JROTC program.
As I sat and watched the cadets compete this beautiful, fall day, I noticed a camaraderie unknown in any other sport. The lasting friendships of sharing common values, and a common love for the country we all live. This camaraderie will carry throughout their lifetime.
In mid day of competing the cadets made their way to the football field where teams of recreational sized football players (7-10 age range) and cheerleaders covered the field and track. Although they were playing ball at the high school, and the JROTC Raider event was a high school event, the cadets were met with detention and disrespect from the cheerleaders, coaches and football teams. It was apparent the cadets were sharing the track and field with this football league. The cadets were respectful as they only consumed ONE lane on the track for their running event. Nor did they intentionally plow into the cheerleaders who disrespectfully and deliberately did flips in front of the cadets as they made their way down the track.
When a cadet's parent tried to prevent the cheerleaders, coaches and football team members from crossing the running cadet's path, or blocking the lane they were using, one coach said to the cadet's parent, "I don't even know why you are here."
These cadets spent every morning of their summer break and each evening after school training for these events just to be met with adversary. I understand football is bread and butter for most schools and educational institutions, but the detention and disrespect we received from these people was appalling. They were intentionally blocking the lane as it was apparent that the cheerleaders only did flips as the runners approached. It was apparent that although they were sharing the track, the football league felt their sport took precedence. I was appalled by that type of disrespect, the same disrespect most self-righteous people display toward our military men and women, or service men and women on a daily basis.
I could have been in the woods hunting, but I support these boys and girls because most of them ARE faced with adversity. MOST of these kids do need the structure. MOST of these boys and girls are going to graduate to become SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN. This is our future... I'd rather them seek to serve than be overly indulged children and adults who think they are the only one's who have a right, or a voice. It will be THEIR RIGHT AND VOICE that these same cadets will FIGHT for. At the end of the day, these cadets deserve to be respected.
If I could encourage anyone to do anything, it would be to support our JROTC programs. Just as you'd get fired up over those not standing for the anthem at our NFL football games... get fired up about our kids who are standing for a National Anthem playing in the background of an event that doesn't even pertain to them.
SUPPORT YOUR High School JROTC PROGRAMS just as you would any other recreational sport, or high school organization.
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