If you are a member of the military drill world then you have most likely heard of JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Program) which is in hundreds of high schools across the nation; ROTC, the senior program that is in hundreds of colleges and universities, is the senior partner. Each branch of the military has an ROTC program: Army, Marines, Navy and the Air Force. The Coast Guard has two JROTC-like programs with one in southern Florida and one in North Carolina. The Merchant Marines don’t have a program, but do have the Merchant Marine Academy.
Now, let me introduce you to a fairly new program that is only in the state of Kentucky: Jr. Guard. It’s the Army’s National Guard program for five Kentucky high schools. Make that four Kentucky high schools. The school board at Lincoln County High School has deemed it necessary to remove the program. Here is part of a message a Marine friend of mine received:
“Good evening Sgt., i was wondering if you could do me a favor? You see, this September, i will be enlisting in the Marine Corps. We had a program in my high school that was dropped because of budget cuts. The thing is, the school never payed us anything, they never did anything for us, we were funded through the national guard, and then the national guard stopped funding us, we paid out of our pockets. Then on the last day of school, they fired our instructor, SFC Eddie Jones and took the program out of high school. For me and other Jr Guardsmen, this was our life, most of us plan on joining the military here soon. We were using the program to prepare us, but they cut it out. and well, i was wondering, if you could like the page Help Save Jr Guard at LCHS and maybe say something about it? We would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time Sgt. Semper Fi
Please go here to “Like” the page and add your support.
Folks, we need to save student programs: band, JROTC, art, all of these types of classes that enrich the lives of the students beyond the measure of test scores. The types of classes/programs that help shape and build the character of the students taking part. Read here how the program has improved the students!!
Some information about this great program:
I found this info here.
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I am trying to get a Jr. Guard program started in our school. WE need currilum for the instructors. Do you have something that you can send me. Are there certain procedures that we need to do. We're just flying by the seat of our pants. My son was in the Army so I know what it can do for these students. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Hello Cathy,
I'll send you an email.
Headquarters, U.S.. Army Cadet Corps is located in Millersburg, Kentucky. Feel free to contact us at http://www.goarmycadets.com . If there is interest in forming a local unit, we'd be glad to assist.
Joseph M. Land, Sr.
COL, AG, USAC
Acting Commander
Hi there, Sergeant.
This may be silly, and just wishful thinking, but I am just praying that this message will be helpful in getting a Jr. Guard program set in my high school in Kentucky, Dayton high school.
You see, I may be only 14 and a girl, but my dreams are to enlist as a Marine as soon as I graduate. And in preparing for this, my hopes were set for Junior Guard starting my freshman year that is coming up, to my Senior year. But, sadly, I moved last year from my old town, where the high school actually did have a Jr. Guard program there. But now I've been informed that Dayton does not have one. Which stinks, by the way.
Again, it may be wishful thinking, but it sure is worth a shot... I was hoping that there could be a chance that you could get a Jr. Guard program set up there. This would be really great in my preparation for joining the Marines.
And if you actually take this measly message into consideration...
Here is some contact information for Dayton High School.
Thanks. Seriously.
* Dayton Independent School Distict200 Clay Street -Dayton, KY 41074
Official website
http://www.dayton.kyschools.us/content_page2.aspx?cid=72
Hello Cassandra,
I appreciate that you think so highly of me that I could get a Jr. Guard (JROTC-like) program started. I'd love to do it, as a matter of fact I'd love to have 100s more programs across the nation in every high school. We could give guidance to more high school students.
I will write to the administration of your new high school. I don't know what I can do, but I will try. In the meantime, is there a Young Marines, Civil Air Patrol, Sea Cadets or even an Army Cadets unit in your area? These units do not have anything to do with schools, but offer similar programs to JROTC and Jr. Guard.
In any case, whatever happens, enjoy high school, study and enjoy the Marine Corps!
DrillMaster