High School JROTC

I was disturbed by George Grider’s portrayal of high school Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps in his March 29 commentary titled “How Did Militarism Dodge Bullet?”

Mr. Grider’s motive in writing such a biased, distorted piece of propaganda is unknown to me, but as a retired Army officer and high school JROTC instructor for the past 16 years, I would like to set the record straight on several points.

First, the main thrust of the piece was that violence taught in high school JROTC contributes to lawlessness and violence in our streets and neighborhoods. This is absolutely untrue.

The JROTC curriculum includes close-order drill, physical conditioning, military history, map reading, leadership training, first aid, public speaking, weapons safety, marksmanship and similar subjects. There is absolutely no training in tactics, hand-to-hand combat or anything which could be construed as encouraging violence.

Secondly, the commentary implies that the high school JROTC program is some sort of “sacred cow,” immune from budget scrutiny in a time of tight fiscal constraints. This is also patently untrue.

ROTC programs have been in our high schools for over 75 years. As a matter of fact, San Diego High School has one of the original programs, dating back to 1919. Presently there are 1,480 programs in high schools nationwide--856 Army, 228 Navy, 316 Air Force and 80 USMC. In addition, there are hundreds of high schools on waiting lists for the program should funds become available.

The reason high school JROTC programs have flourished over the years, in good economic times and bad, is that taxpaying educators, parents and other citizens have seen or experienced for themselves the benefits of JROTC in our schools.

They have seen young people gain pride and self-esteem as they learn self-discipline, responsibility and leadership skills while earning rank and awards in the JROTC Cadet Corps.

They know of potential high school dropouts who stay in school because of encouragement and guidance from JROTC instructors who often serve as surrogate fathers to youngsters from troubled or single-parent homes.

They have seen good students with disadvantaged backgrounds get appointments to service academies or win four-year JROTC scholarships to prestigious universities.

They understand that JROTC offers opportunities to students who may neither be academically or athletically gifted, a place to fit in and belong. Something to be part of and participate in, as an alternative to street gangs. A place where wholesome, supervised activities benefit the school and community as well as the individual student.

In short, high school JROTC has survived budget cuts because it is widely recognized by our citizens as a valuable asset in our schools.

I am sure Mr. Grider would prefer a perfect world in which it would be unnecessary to maintain a strong armed force to ensure the national defense. While many of us would agree, it seems unlikely such a world will exist in our lifetimes. In the interim, JROTC programs in our high schools and colleges serve a vital and necessary purpose.

KENNETH E. YENTER

Senior Army instructor; Mt. Miguel High School