Educating each other on military customs and courtesies, and collaborating as a team to catch up on personal growth. The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) is a nationwide program that inspires students to be better citizens and leaders around their community. Once these students graduate from high school, they can pursue an ROTC program in college. 

Many students aspire to be a part of a community that shares their values. A sophomore at Rock Hill discusses how his participation in JROTC inspired him to find his future pathway. 

“My mom got an email when I was in eighth grade that Rock Hill was starting a JROTC program,” Brandon Harrison said. “I went through the Google slideshow and I read all the information that it had and I thought that it would be a cool experience.” 

Harrison grew to learn and respect the roles of being a good candidate for JROTC. Doing so, he has earned a leadership position on the team. 

“I am the Cadet First Sergeant for Delta Company, so I am the highest ranking non commissioned officer in our company,” Harrison said. “You have your company commander, your commanding officer, your executive officer, and it’s essentially the chain of command so you’re not alone with anything you do.” 

There are many companies that a student may be placed in once joining in the beginning of the school year. However, it all depends on how their school schedule is structured, not their level or years of JROTC experience. 

“We [PISD] have Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta and Echo companies, and we use the NATO phonetic alphabet for Alphabet like A-Alpha, B-Bravo, C-Charlie, D-Delta, E-Echo, and so on,” Harrison said.  

These students are required to participate in a variety of events to show their involvement in this class. Even so, such activities provide a chance to have fun with fellow peers. 

“We are marching in the veterans day parade and this year it’s on Friday November 10th. In December it’s going to be a cadet dine-in. so we wear our uniforms and be more formal,” Harrison said. “At the end of the year, in April, we’ll have a cadet ball.” 

There are many opportunities to gain awards in JROTC depending on an individual’s character and actions. Harrison and many other students have received an award for top class for being the best in a customs and courtesies competition; drill and ceremony. 

“You just need to be doing your best, like being outstanding, doing things without being told what to do, holding accountability, just be all you can be,” Harrison said. “If you join special teams, then you also get ribbons, arc pins and medals.”

Harrison explains why he joined this class in the first place and how it has impacted his perspective on what to pursue for his future career. 

“I originally joined just for a P.E. credit, but as the school year went on last year I realized, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so much more than just a class, this is everything,’” Harrison said. “And because we use things like military customs and courtesies, it got me more interested in the military, whether enlisting or becoming a commissioned officer.” 

Although Harrison is unsure of the specifics, he is certain he wants to continue on the ROTC route, as it has provided him with a meaningful position and welcoming environment.

“If I wanted to go into the military, my top two choices would probably be the Marine Corps or the Army,” Harrison said. “My goal is to do this for as many years as possible.” 

There are numerous advantages that the program may provide to students who want to pursue this route after high school. 

“Whenever you enlist in the Army, Marine Corps or any other branch, you get full 100% college assistance, and you won’t have to deal with student loans because the military will pay for it,” Harrison said. “Which is only if I wanted to go to college, that’d be like a real benefit.” 

In order to join JROTC, there is a process that a student must complete when choosing classes for the following year. 

“At the end of the school year, whenever you pick your next classes, you can find ROTC in Skyward and you can either do it for a P.E. credit or an elective credit,” Harrison said. “It would also be advised to talk to our Army instructor and senior Army instructor Michael Songy and Sedric Wade.”

Harrison plans to continue utilizing JROTC as a motivator to perform his best no matter what path he takes in life. He intends to use the skills and knowledge he has gained from this class to educate others on why this class is beneficial to anyone. 

“You will always have people around you to support you whether it be your fellow cadets or even just the senior army instructor or army instructor, staff sergeant or first sergeant,” Harrison said. “You will have support wherever you go; that was another thing that made me want to stay in JROTC.”