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Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps is a high school class for all grades that teaches young cadets the importance of citizenship, leadership and self-discipline.
A few aspects of the curriculum being covered in Ramstein High School’s JROTC class are history of aviation, Air Force tradition, aerospace science, and life skills. In this class students must earn their rank, learn how to march, and even take physical training tests. They are also required to have weekly uniform inspections, which account for fifty percent of their grade.
Students not only put a lot of work into the class, but also are very involved in the community.
“We help with Military Balls—we’ll do the hat and coat check—and we do the flag ceremonies for local sporting events,” said Tommy Massa, Ramstein High School freshman.
Among these, JROTC students also help out with school programs, such as open house or the winter blues festival. These students are on their way to becoming the next generation of military members.
“We emulate the Air Force,” said Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Speller, Ramstein JROTC teacher. “Only thing is they don’t get paid for the job they do.”
Along with the course there are also extracurricular activities available, including saber team and drill team. The drill team begins practicing in September and is constantly training up until March. At the end of the season, students have a big competition against twelve other schools.
“This is their Super Bowl,” Mr. Speller said. “They spend most of the school year practicing.”
In asking what this class taught him, RHS senior Kevin Stewart replied, “A lot about leadership. Not by telling, but by putting you in a place where you lead and other cadets follow.”
This is Kevin’s fourth and final year in the JROTC program, and he has worked his way to the highest rank of anyone in the school at Cadet Lieutenant Colonel.
Students may put a lot of effort into this class, but it isn’t all toil — there are social aspects, too. Students can participate in military balls, hail and farewells, dining-ins and dining-outs.
“There’s a whole social organization here,” Kevin said. JROTC promotes learning and stronger relationships among cadets.
Although only a third of JROTC cadets end up joining the military, the class still helps students achieve life skills that are useful in graduating, getting a job, and applying to college. JROTC creates a good avenue for students and prepares them for the future.
