By Claudine Ngene

Lowell, MA- Cadets line the halls of the Air Force JROTC village in the basement of Lowell High School every Thursday.

Three lines of cadets, guided by their “element” leader, patiently wait in formation with their clean uniform and their shined shoes to be inspected just as soldiers in an Air Force military base.

“Being a JROTC student and staff, I am happy, proud, and determined to give back to other students, just like JROTC did for me,” said Soka Mam, an LHS senior and JROTC staff member.  Once an element leader Mam has worked her way through the ranks of JROTC.

JROTC stands for Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. It is an Air Force program at the high school level which helps students to gain leadership skills and to become more responsible adults.

The program teaches students to have integrity in their school, their community and their nation.

According to the JROTC curriculum, its mission is to develop citizens of characters dedicated to serve their community and nation.

“The JROTC job is not to recruit students but to teach them leadership skills such as integrity and responsibility so that they will take the right decision in the future,” said Lieutenant Colonel Pete D’Amico, director of the program.

The JROTC program was originally created in 1916 during World War I as part of the National Defense Act and was later extended as ROTC.

JROTC helps students to be more responsible and to develop a strong character of leadership.

In addition, the JROTC program provides members like Mam,  a better and clearer view of what she would like to do beyond her high school years.

Before JROTC, senior Andrew Schuster found himself in the principal’s offices often.  

Schuster remembered following people a lot and never doing anything on his own.

“I hardly find myself in trouble [now] and I’ve become more focused on life and focused on progressing myself everyday in one way or another. I’m a thinker and think more. After joining JROTC, I just found myself with an overall better attitude and personality,” said Schuster, a staff member of JROTC and Drill Team champion.

Prior to joining JROTC, Shuster said he was definitely not focused on his future or anything that would have progressed in his life any way.  But after, he started to change and became more focused.  

Today he is himself and does not need to follow anyone, according to Schuster.

Mam, a staff member cadet in the JROTC certification system, has been able to guide, manage and help other students not only with the JROTC duties but also academically.

The JROTC  certification system is based on how many years a student has been participating as a cadet.  Which means a two-year student receives a certificate of training  different from those who have been in the program for three years.  In turn the student receives a certificate of completion.  And, if the student joins Air Force, he or she  will be enlisted and earn higher rank.

The percentage of JROTC students that join the Air Force is around 10%, according to JROTC data.

Cadets joining the Air Force may find it difficult the first years, however with a higher rank the hard work can be balanced with satisfaction and fun along the way.  Though, cadets need to be careful of mistakes.

“Some of the consequences of [mistakes] can be the loss of rank or money,” said Lieutenant Pete D’amico who also teaches and prepares interested JROTC cadets for the Air Force path.

To get accepted in a Air Force college, a high school student has to take and do well on the entrance exam and meet the minimum age of 17-18 years. The Air Force college applicant must also be physically fit, meet the academic requirements and pass a background check. 

One student considering the Air Force is a LHS Junior and ROTC flight commander.

As a Flight Commander Laura Rodriguez, who came to the United States from Colombia, is proud of her work.

“The position allows me to develop a strong character and important leadership skills,” said Rodriguez, who completed 3 years to accomplish her title and has only been in the United States the same amount of time.

Rodriguez, a petite 5 foot 4 inches tall, said she feels more responsible and determined in her work.  If she chooses to join the Air Force she will give her best and try to overcome any physical limitations she may have.

In addition, she joins JROTC thanks to her brother, Caesar, who recommended that she join the program and now she is very happy of her choice.

Mam, meanwhile, achieved staff member cadet because she has more time in the program than Rodriguez. She has the opportunity to guide other students, which is a great help for the instructors.

By doing that, the instructors are able to know and to understand students better. JROTC has shaped her and she has also gained the skills of leadership. The program taught her to be disciplined, honest, and how to  manage time and stress.

If Mam joins the military one day, JROTC  will help her  understand what to expect and provides a head start in the leadership chain of command.  

According to Mam, she’s more physically and mentally fit and more academically motivated as a result of her work with JROTC.

Editors note: Claudine Ngene is a member of LHS JROTC.