Yesterday we heard from a panel of people related to JROTC.  JROTC provides leadership opportunities for their cadets and holds them accountable to the unit.  One way they instill leadership is having sophmores teach JROTC skills to freshmen, etc.,  just like Wes Moore said to do.  JROTC is very structured, and parents and educators on the panel said this is a reason children thrive in the program.  JROTC is divided into companies to instill teamwork.  Teamwork teaches the students that others depend on them. JROTC forges bonds between students and offers a quasi-family.  Not all students have supportive families around them so JROTC can be especially important to them.   JROTC helps kids to understand they're part of something bigger than themselves.

LTC Black, the JROTC instructor at Leavenworth HS said the uniform, the high degree of structure, and the sense of belonging gives some kids what they need.

Not every NCO or Officer will be effective as a JROTC instructor said Mr. Parker, principal of Leavenworth HS. The relationship between Instructor and student is key to success of the JROTC program, but also the relationship between JROTC Instructor and Principal needs to be strong.

A parent talked about the impact JROTC had on her son. He has medical problems, dyslexia and other issues but it has instilled pride and responsibility in her son. JROTC is open to all students in a school regardless of their physical ability or disability status, sexual orientation, or career plans.

Another parent on the panel noted that her daughter blossomed while  in JROTC because her self-confidence was strengthened.

MSG Day enjoys her job molding students.  Her students run the gamut from homeless to wealthy.  She feels that JROTC helps students learn how to communicate and present themselves. Everyday JROTC teachers around the globe teach life skills.

A father said his 2 sons like a challenge, including the opportunity to fail.  He said kids want to be made to think, problem solve and learn.  The JROTC program is largely run by the cadets.  Young people want to lead and be accountable for what they do.  Life lessons are learned and reinforced in JROTC.  When his son cheated on a history test, not only did he get a 0 on his test, he risked loss of his JROTC leadership positions. We learned from the panelists that JROTC instills citizenship and caring about  others.  The cadets see themselves as members of a team and are concerned about their fellow team members.

CSM Grogarty of Fancis Lewis HS in Queens, NY has  750 cadets in his program, only 30 percent of whom come from homes where English is spoken.  They offer many activities including drum corps, drill team, and choir.  They have performed in parades, major sporting events, and appeared on TV.