Tag Archives: JROTC

JROTC teaches students how to be leaders

Posted on by Leave a comment
JROTC Color Guard marches to Patterson pep rally (Photo: Patterson Press)

by Snit Kahsay

JROTC is a youth program that gives students the opportunity to acquire basic military knowledge and leadership abilities. This program is related to the Armed Forces but doesn’t force students to join anything after high school.

The teacher, Lt. Col. Bill A York, has been in the program for six years now. The part of teaching that he loves the most is “the part that teaches leadership. The reason I like to teach that is because I see a lot of technical issues going on with children at home and to help improve their communication, decision making skills and not give up on themselves.” 

This program can help kids feel more confident about public speaking due to the way they do their attendance and their way of communication and leadership. JROTC is one of the most popular pathways in Patterson High School, with more students joining every day. Some students were initially placed in the JROTC pathway without signing up for it but later came to appreciate it.

“I didn’t choose it, actually.”, explained Commander Alison Licona-Pacheco. “They gave it to me and I really liked how they organized the program and got cadets involved in everything. That’s why I liked it and that is how I got my position in leadership.”

This program is mostly known for  its unique way of teaching students to act like responsible adults and how to handle stressful things. This program includes uniforms that students must wear. On Thursdays, cadets must wear either their blues or OCPs (Operational Camouflage Pattern). On Fridays, cadets wear sweats because they do exercises on those days. 

JROTC organized a citywide 5K run on October 3 at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Poly) that any cadet (JROTC student) could participate in. The Patterson High School JROTC finished in 2nd place overall.

JROTC teaches leadership skills

Posted on by Leave a comment

by Gabriela Hernandez-Guzman

JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps), is a program offered by high schools in the United States that focuses on leadership, citizenship, character development, and military skills training. It provides students with opportunities to develop leadership qualities and learn about the importance of service to their community and country.

When Lieutenant Colonel Bill York first became an instructor for JROTC at Patterson High, it was the fulfillment of a longtime dream of his.

“I always wanted to teach”, Lt. Col. York reflected, explaining that JROTC Journey has been the most rewarding job he has ever had in his life.

Lt. Col. York’s best experience teaching JROTC was “the visit to the Columbia internship in Baltimore”. His favorite part of JROTC is helping cadets work through the challenges of their day-to-day lives.

JROTC can help students change their decision-making process and get people to view them in a more positive light.

Some activities that JROTC cadets engage in include wearing their blue uniform every Thursday, wearing their Physical Training (PT) uniform every Friday, and doing exercises. They also plan activities such as walking, running, and playing kickball. JROTC has a lot of competitions such as drill competitions, a 5K run, archery, and the “Toughest Team Challenge”.

JROTC helps cadets develop leadership skills by challenging them to push their personal limits through sports like rappelling, and the aforementioned racing and archery. Lt. Col. York states that when students get through basic training they put them in the position to lead.

One of the main benefits of joining JROTC is learning leadership skills in a safe place for all people. The program also provides opportunities for students interested in joining the military. “For the 2-3 years you are in the  programs, you can gain a rank as soon you enter and graduate from basic training.”, Lt. Col. York explained. 

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) was established by the National Defense Act of 1916. JROTC’s mission is to motivate young people to be better citizens. JROTC programs include a curriculum that covers a wide range of subjects from military history to leadership skills, and health and wellness. Cadets learn through classroom instruction, physical training, and other activities.

JROTC plays a big role in personal development and ethics. Cadets are taught the importance of honor, courage, and commitment, which are values that they can carry with them throughout their lives. JROTC cadets and students can earn community service learning hours by doing reveille (raising the American flag) and retreat (taking the flag down), and also by participating in the Green Team, collecting recycling outside of the building and inside classrooms. 

JROTC is a high school program that teaches leadership, citizenship, and life skills. It is sponsored by the U.S military and aims to instill discipline, responsibility, and teamwork in students. JROTC is not a recruitment tool but it offers a structured environment for personal development. Additionally, JROTC provides opportunities for scholarships and military education benefits. Participants can engage in community service, drill competitions, and summer camps, enhancing their high school experience and preparing them for future success.

The JROTC curriculum is designed to prepare cadets for success in both military and civilian life by instilling valuable skills, knowledge, and values. It offers a unique educational experience that combines academic rigor with practical training and leadership development.

Editor’s Note: After this article was written, Lt. Col. Bill York shared the following update: “AFJROTC MD-932 has earned the Distinguished Unit Award for AY2023/24. The award recognizes the personal growth and accomplishments of the cadets, contributions of the instructor as a mentor, and the support of the school and local community.”