photo credit: Sophia Robinson
Many would agree that one of the greatest privileges as an American is the ability to serve one’s country. For many young people, Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) is an opportunity to prepare for their future in the military.
For a bit of history, JROTC is a preparation program for students interested in a future within the military.
“JROTC prepares student participants for life beyond the high school classroom with courses about leadership, health and wellness, physical fitness, first aid, geography, American history and government, communications and emotional intelligence. The program also teaches ‘soft skills’ in the areas of collaboration, personal reflection and critical thinking,” according to the website Today’s Military.
The program is extremely widespread, in both its involvement, and outreach.
“More than 3,500 high schools in the United States offer JROTC, which is run by enlisted and retired service members from various military branches. The JROTC program typically lasts two to four years, with enrollment starting in ninth grade,” according to the website Military Today.
At the high school, students have the ability of traveling to Delaware Hayes High School during the school day in order to receive JROTC program training. Major Matthew O’Brien runs the county-wide program; O’Brien is an officer, who worked his way through the ranks of the military, to find his way into JROTC.
“I have been an instructor since July 2017. In 2016, I was conducting a background investigation on several former cadets. After their interviews, the instructors at each unit encouraged me to look into JROTC,” O’Brien said.
He has worked in various units, eventually finding his way to Hayes and Delaware.
“The reputation and honor of the OH-012 really drew me to the senior instructor position at Hayes and Delaware County schools,” O’Brien said.
His students enjoy their time working with him throughout their duration within the program. One of the participating students is a junior and first year cadet Lucy Liu.
“Overall, cadets in the program are in a tight-knit family, especially when you do drill or raiders after-school programs. You really get to know cadets well,” Liu said.
The program is active a lot throughout the year, but some events seem to stand out in particular.
“One of my favorite moments in ROTC would probably be in the armed drill team, the first time I spun my rifle and caught it. The sense of accomplishment was just unbeatable because I practiced for hours and dropped my rifle too many times to count,” Liu said.
Overall, O’Brien enjoys seeing his students grow throughout their time in JROTC. While they’re under his advice, he sees them go through many experiences.
“This unit also has cross-town agreements with Buckeye Valley, Big Walnut and Olentangy School Districts, so it is a unique opportunity to bring in diverse groups of students from the local schools in the county and be a part of their character, life skills and leadership development,” O’Brien said.
But, he also enjoys seeing them later in life, after their time in the JROTC, In the life that the program has built them towards.
“I have had many great experiences watching the Cadets move on from the program- whether they become doctors, or teachers, or work in the trades or start a military career – I have really had great memories being a part of our cadets, journey,” O’Brien said.
The students agree, leaving with not only great memories but also useful life skills.
“The most valuable thing that I have learned while being in the program is integrity. As Sargent Westell says, ‘every day is an interview’. Commitment is another one. ROTC isn’t something that you can love one day and then ditch the other; there are people who are counting on you even if you don’t realize,” Liu said.
