Q&A with JROTC Seniors
Senior Vanessa Freggusen stands in the gym courtyard while leading a flight in a thirty-step drill sequence.
Q&A:
What are some responsibilities for JROTC seniors?
“Number one, what we try to do … if you are a senior, you are required to have some form of leadership. You are running something in this program.”
-Colonel Calvin Mason, teacher
What does the JROTC curriculum involve?
“[We have] aerospace science, the history of flight. Now, we also have leadership education. That’s more of the practical life skills stuff. Anything from creating a budget to what are the formal etiquette types of things to do at a formal outing. We instill patriotism with the flag, management structures in an organization. That’s more the life skills, leadership, build-up kind of thing.”
-Mason
What lessons has JROTC taught you?
“JROTC has taught me that it’s better to work as a team to accomplish a goal … and to never give up on something because it may seem impossible. It has also taught me that everyone makes mistakes but it’s really all about how you come back and recover from it or fix the situation.”
-Vanessa Ferguson, plans on joining the Air Force after college.
What is the benefit of JROTC?
“There’s a lot of disciplinary acts, but it also gives you an air of professionalism. It really is a very helpful program. It can also correct a lot of your behavior and gives you [character]. For example, informalities are not tolerated while in uniform. It really helps you get that air of professionalism through the program.”
-Spencer Boyd, has a renewable scholarship to the Citadel.
Why do you like JROTC? “I love it here; there are a lot of good friends. It’s a good experience as it puts me in a leadership position and I learned a lot.”
-Nicholas Tavassoli, considering Virginia Military Institute or West Point.
What would you say to someone considering joining the program?
“Well first of all, it’s not the military and you don’t have an obligation to join. Also, if you’re not sure whether to try it, definitely go for it… getting over 100 friends as soon as you come in the program helps a lot for incoming freshmen, and people should know that we’re the same as every other high school kid and that JROTC will make you a much more well-rounded student.”
-Joey Glick, going to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona.
“I’d say give it a try because if you don’t like it you can always get out afterwards, but it’s a good experience and everyone on the fence should definitely give it a try.”
-Tavassoli
