MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- The Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps is one of many ways for young men and women to see the opportunities and leadership that the military has to offer without having to sign on the dotted line.
The Battery Creek High School JROTC chapter visited the Depot for a tour of the facilities and some physical training Jan. 9. The students were afforded the opportunities of running an obstacle course, eating in the chow hall, and participating in simulated fire at the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Training facility.
According to the Marine Corps JROTC Web site, www.tecom.usmc.mil/jrotc/history.cfm, there are six categories of emphasis for tomorrow's leaders.
The program hopes to develop informed and responsible citizens, build character, teach students about the elements and requirements for national security, instill discipline as an important leadership skill, develop respect for authority, and enlighten students to possible career and educational choices.
The JROTC program develops and emphasizes the value of leadership and strives to instill those qualities in the members of the program.
While the national program sets the tone, the local chapters follow suit with locally applied guidelines.
The Battery Creek JROTC is a multi-faceted program that stresses discipline and a need for community service, along with physical and mental strength, said retired Maj. Jeff McGill, leader of the Battery Creek chapter.
The JROTC is structured around a high school schedule and has requirements set by the Department of Defense.
According to the Marine Corps Junior ROTC Web site, "The Junior ROTC program offered in a high school must be no less than three-years and no fewer than 96 hours of instruction each year. Usually, each year contains 180 hours of leadership instruction and application."
The Battery Creek program involves one class hour of the curriculum much the same as history or mathematics.
"There are six classes a day; three for freshmen, two for sophomores and one for the juniors and seniors," said McGill. "Each teaches leadership, Marine Corps history, customs, courtesies, drill and patriotism."
Keeping with those standards, the Battery Creek chapter builds leaders through the leadership of McGill and the experience of older students within the program.
"I preach academics, attitude and history, and if they lack those qualities, then they will probably go out of the JROTC," said McGill. "Everything up to Marine Corps standards including grooming and fitness levels, it gives the students the chance to become leaders."
The program also enlightens students to possible career and educational choices in their future.
"It's my fourth year and it has been a lot of work, but it has been worth it," said Mary Elizabeth Pruett, a BCHS senior. "I started in JROTC just to get a physical education credit, but I love the morale within the unit and the discipline I received. It has gotten me on track for my future."
"I plan on going to college and then on to the Marines," said Pruett who has already been accepted into the Citadel. "I already knew what I wanted to do. This just gave me the fever a little bit. I will be there for four years of college with boot camp being in the last two years, but I want to graduate and walk the stage an officer."
Students choose their own path, but the leadership provided within the program has led Philip Buchanan, a BCHS junior, to a jump-start on what he wants to achieve at recruit training after he finishes school.
"After high school I am going straight to boot camp," said Buchanan. "I am proud of myself for what I have achieved in JROTC. I love the yelling and drill and all of the physical training we do. I want to get more experience and get into better shape for boot camp in my last year."
Achievement in the JROTC program should equal triumph in the world after high school, as it is a building block for success.