As the end of the year is approaching, high schoolers of all ages start talking more and more about their plans after high school. From a four-year university to trade schools, there are all sorts of post high school plans. Rolla Public schools offer multiple scholarships and job opportunities to students across a plethora of careers and colleges; however one career and scholarship opportunity is noticeably lacking. Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. JROTC is a military program designed to teach students leadership and introduce them to the idea of joining the military.
Implementing JROTC can bring lots of positive benefits to our schools and can lead to more college opportunities for students. One way JROTC encourages students to go to college is to offer scholarships and paths to scholarships. According to Accredited Schools Online, “JROTC cadets can start earning school-specific scholarships as early as 9th grade. These scholarships cover the cost of an education at 260 different colleges. Select schools offer up to $6,000 for each year in a JROTC program. Cadets in leadership roles can get an additional $3,375 per year. And the best part – there isn’t an application process. The funds are automatically added to the student’s financial aid package for the selected participating colleges.”
These scholarships can encourage students to go to college instead of just enlisting immediately after graduation allowing them to get a higher education at a fraction of the cost.
However, to add any new program or scholarship to RHS there is a long process.
Dr. Corey Ray, the Rolla High School principal, acknowledged the process of adding JROTC to RHS.
“Well, [starting a new program] starts with a discussion at the building level with the building leadership, discussion with the district level administration, discussion with the board members, for board approval,” Ray said. “We sit down and have a meeting with Dr. Welch and go over the course description book, and teachers for proposals of additional courses or revision of courses.”
While adding JROTC might be time consuming, adding scholarships, leadership, and the chance of hands-on instruction with former military members is certainly a draw for the program.
Senior Hayden Kissinger, who has been accepted into the United States Air Force Academy, believes JROTC would have made his application process to the service academies simpler.
“It would have made it a little easier if you did JROTC. First off your instructor could give you the fitness test, but they definitely have a lot more tips and how to get in,” Kissinger said. “I think [I would be] definitely excited to learn from them.”
One primary function of JROTC is introducing students to the idea of joining the military and understanding what goes into it before graduating.
“I don’t think people understand what the whole aspect [of the military is]…Even I don’t understand it one hundred percent yet, but…if, let’s say we had [ROTC] like performances at the school, I think that [helps] because we have a lot more knowledge on what actually goes on,” Kissinger said.
Senior Jazsmin Ramirez, who is enlisting in the Air Force after graduation, grew up in a military family and also sees the benefits of JROTC.
“I think it could be an amazing opportunity for some students at our school. It helps develop leadership, problem-solving skills, plan and organize events and situations, and determination,” Ramirez said. “I think JROTC [should] be something more schools should look into.”
