Bridgeport High School Cadets in Full Force with JROTC Program
By Trina Runner on March 26, 2016
It’s hard to believe, but JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary in our nations high schools this year. With it’s mission to “Motivate Young People to be Better Citizens,” it’s no surprise that more students are interested in participating than ever.
For the past 11 years, First Sergeant Robert Brownfield has been the Army Instructor for Army JROTC at Robert C. Byrd High School. The program started at Washington Irving High School in 1993 and Lincoln High School has a Navy JROTC program as well.
For the last few years, seniors from Bridgeport High School have been driving to RCB to participate in the program. Aaron Tennent, a 2015 graduate of BHS received a four-year Army ROTC Scholarship to West Virginia University after participating in the program and served as an impetus to making this opportunity available to more BHS students.
In January, the Harrison County Board of Education started providing transportation for freshmen and sophomore students from BHS to attend the RCB AJROTC class. Sixteen BHS students travel each day to participate in both academic as well as physical instruction. “Monday through Wednesday, we focus on academics, Thursday is Uniform Inspection and Drill and Ceremonies and Friday is dedicated to Physical Training,” said Brownfield.
Contrary to what many people think, the program is not a recruiting class for the military nor is it a prerequisite to join the military. The values of the program focus on instilling character, citizenship, student achievement, fitness, leadership, teamwork, responsibility and service. “These values are ideal for anyone to learn and can be transferred to any job or life goal,” said Brownfield, whose own son recently graduated from West Point after completing the RCB program.
Because of the military-style structure, there are those who enlist after high school and those, like Arryn Tennent, who receive scholarships. For the 16 underclassmen and women who are currently involved, however, it is about exploring options and learning valuable skills for life. “The program teaches discipline and leadership and bonds the cadets in many ways,” says BHS junior Satie Scalise. “It opens up opportunities to us that we did not realize were out there before.”
Extracurricular teams and activities allow students to gain experience and to compete. “We conduct over 50 Color Guard presentations every year and our rifle team has won nine state titles and two national matches,” said Brownfield.
Summer offers the opportunity for some cadets to attend Cadet Officer Training School and to attend the WVJROTC Junior Cadet Leadership Camp at Camp Dawson. “The camp focuses on leadership and adventure and further develops skills needed to succeed,” said Brownfield. “We are also heavily involved in community activities such as the Veteran’s Day Parade and 9/11 Ceremonies. We also work with various Veterans organizations and the V.A. Hospital and Nursing Home.”
“I am very proud that our students now have daily access to participate in such a wonderful program,” said BHS Principal Mark Defazio. “We had a lot of interest in JROTC and wanted to make it a reality for those interested. The program offers a lot of unique opportunities and we are excited to be a part of it.”
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