Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Travis Decker | 190529-KC192-0008 ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 29, 2019) Seaman Connor Amon stands messenger...... read more read more
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There are a plethora of ways for young people still in high school to prepare for life’s journey to adulthood. High schools have numerous programs and role models to assist students transitioning into adulthood. Besides teachers, coaches, guidance counselors and personal mentors, one resource students can take advantage of is the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program.
Seaman Connor Amon, assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), and a West Ashley High School, Charleston, South Carolina, graduate was a very active member in his school’s JROTC program. His passion for JROTC and mentoring carried on through basic training and it’s what inspires his motivation to succeed aboard Bataan. Now, Amon is a motivating volunteer at Murray High School JROTC program located in downtown Norfolk.
“JROTC is such a wonderful tool and resource that many people just either don’t realize is out there or hear bad things and are turned away,” said Amon. “It’s really useful. It teaches high school students about a wide variety of things like navigation, refueling-at-sea, international law, the UCMJ [Uniform Code of Military Justice] and citizenship to name a few.”
Through his time in the JROTC, Amon stated that getting a chance to learn leadership skills, volunteering in community activities and taking part in ceremonial events were his favorite aspects of the program. Though his volunteer work with Murray High School, he teaches cadets how to properly wear their uniform, military customs and courtesies, as well as mentoring them on expectations and how to conduct themselves in the military while having a vision of their future.
“I’m hoping to instill the importance of having a plan in motion for when cadets get out of high school,” said Amon. “I’ve noticed a lot of my own classmates go to college, but don’t have a solid plan for what to do with their degree. You can only teach someone how to lead from a textbook so much before they need experience. By discussing different styles of leadership as well as the different paths they can take in the military and in life, they should be able to take charge of just about any situation they encounter.”
According to Amon, discipline is a necessary attribute for any good Sailor. He hopes that by stressing this to the cadets he will make them into fine reliefs for the Sailors of the United States Navy.
“I believe that the JROTC program helps individuals with basic training, but only if they take the time to learn the material that’s given to them. They need to develop important habits. Habits such as keeping a uniform squared away, keeping up with physical fitness, and understanding the importance of protocol and flowing the of chain of command.”
Amon has been working with JROTC for five years, four as a cadet himself and one as a volunteer, loves the work he does helping young men and women.
“I love the gratification you feel when you’ve spent so much time helping someone to get through even one year,” says Amon. “Then they go off to boot camp or out into the world and, whatever path they decide to take, you know you prepared them well. That’s the best part of the job.”
| Date Taken: | 06.02.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 06.03.2019 11:25 |
| Story ID: | 325055 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, MOTIVATING FUTURE LEADERS, by PO2 Travis Decker, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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