High School Wins JROTC Program

Uniforms will be mandatory this fall for some students at Orange High School--those who sign up for the Marines’ Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program on the campus.

Orange Unified School District trustees approved the program, the first in the district and one of only 35 new Marine JROTC programs nationwide to begin the next school year, Assistant Supt. Neil McKinnon said.

New ROTC programs must be approved by the secretary of the Navy. A letter from him to Orange High Principal Robert Lewis arrived last week giving permission for the program to proceed.

Lewis said he pushed for the program because it could provide a career path for many students.

Equally important to the cash-strapped school district, the Marines supply about $100,000 worth of equipment, uniforms and partial salaries for the two retired Marines who will teach the program, McKinnon said.

Counselors at Orange High said they expect 150 students to sign up the first year.

Students in the district’s other high schools also can apply but will probably have to transfer to Orange High to participate, McKinnon said.

“There are a lot of perks,” he said. “Students can go in the armed forces with higher standing and fulfill some college requirements. . . . [The Marines] make the point that this is not a recruiting tool. They are teaching character and education.”