Photo By Sgt. Maj. Daniel Griego | In this image, cadets with the Hutto High School Junior Reserve Officers' Training...... read more read more
ROUND ROCK, Texas - For almost a century, the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps has been developing young leaders at the high school level in preparation for potential careers in the military or other civil services.
The program, which boasts thousands of participating schools nationwide, just got a new roster of cadets in central Texas. Hutto High School, located in Williamson County about 20 minutes from Austin, is in its first year for its Air Force JROTC program, and local soldiers with the Texas Army National Guard are standing ready to support the new cadets.
"Our goal is to build better citizens," said U.S. Air Force retired Maj. Timothy Karagias, instructor for the Hutto High School JROTC program. "Part of building better citizens is understanding what the people in the military do for our country, as well as other public service organizations."
On Feb. 21, 20 juniors and seniors of the training corps visited the Round Rock Armed Forces Reserve Center to experience some of what it feels like to serve in the armed forces. The class spend the day discussing college, career, and training opportunities with representatives from the National Guard and the University of Texas ROTC department.
"Really, it's just education and letting them know their options," said Luis Sandoval, scholarship enrollment officer with the University of Texas ROTC office. "Every year it amazes me how many freshmen come from different JROTCs or different high schools that just never know what ROTC is or if it was even available at the college level, so we're able to get out and plant the seeds now."
Although new, Hutto's junior cadet corps had an auspicious start, with more than 75 students currently enrolled, and more than 100 planning to participate next year. By establishing and maintaining close ties with local and area military organizations, the school hopes to develop its program into a viable competitor on the JROTC circuit.
"Being as Hutto is a brand new JRTOC, hopefully this will pan out in the future where we can do competitions," Army National Guard Staff Sgt. John Lucas, a recruiter stationed in Round Rock. "I want the families to see the cool things that the local National Guard can do for their community, and their kids as well."
The cadets had the opportunity to use simulated military weapons in a controlled environment during their visit to the Guard armory, such as the M4 rifle and the M9 pistol.
"What I wanted to do was give them a feel for what a realistic weapon feels like and give them a feel of what we do," said Lucas. "We let them know what the local units do, what kind of college offers we give, what kind of job opportunities training that we have."
The students still have time to decide on their post high school path, but most agree the program has opened doors for them, for both college and career opportunities.
"ROTC does expand my variety, what I have to offer," said Hutto High School senior Patrick Hicks. "I would ask anybody to join ROTC if they just wanted to find out what they want to do in life. It does help a lot with academics and also real-world situations."
The local National Guard station values this opportunity to reach out to local youth and make a positive impact on their development.
"I really wanted to promote the JROTCs because they're our future," said Lucas. "Some of these kids want college and we have programs to help them get through that. Some of them want training and some want to go active duty. I want to support all of them; this is my community and I want to support them on all their decisions."
| Date Taken: | 02.21.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 02.21.2014 17:32 |
| Story ID: | 120987 |
| Location: | ROUND ROCK, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 381 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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