Cadet commanders from Tecumseh High School’s AFJROTC gave a presentation to the Board of Education and other local government officials Monday evening during the joint government meeting, marking the program’s twenty-eighth year in the district.
Squadron Commander Caleb Linder and Deputy Squadron Commander Jack Dague, both cadets in the JROTC program, delivered a polished presentation that undoubtedly instilled some pride in their superiors as they spoke eloquently and passionately about their program, highlighting their goals and new programs implemented this year.
Linder said there are currently 872 AFJROTC programs around the globe, noting that Tecumseh’s corps has distinguished itself through copious amounts of community service hours and high rankings in drill competitions. MSgt. Antonio Ruiz said that Tecumseh’s JROTC program is also unique in that between 91 and 93 percent of its cadets immediately go into active duty or senior ROTC programs after graduation. Ruiz said this is uncommon because the national percentage of cadets who go onto active duty after graduation is very low.
Linder listed the goals of Tecumseh’s JROTC program, noting that cadets strive to maintain a grade point average of 2.81 percent or higher. He said that the program’s Officer In Charge compiles cadet grade data each week to provide regular updates. Cadets who begin to slip below this GPA are placed in pairs and partnered with a non-ROTC student who earns high marks in the subject the cadets are struggling with, and tutored until their grades begin to rise. Linder also said that the program strives to retain 75 percent of first-year cadets, and 70 percent of non-senior cadets in the program. Cadets must also maintain a 95 percent attendance rating.
Another one of their goals this year is to raise the amount of funds raised for the ROTC’s less-fortunate families at Christmastime. Linder said they had upped the goal to $2,000 this year, with cadets set to raise at least $1,500 of that. He said that so far, the cadets have raised $1,342, which is ahead of schedule, as they still have three more weeks to meet their goal.
Linder stressed how community-oriented the ROTC program really is, saying that they have performed 46 community service projects so far since the beginning of the school year. Last year, the corps amassed a total of 3,651 community service hours, and participated in 129 events. Their goal this year is to increase community service hours by two percent, for a total of 3,724 hours.
Among their most recognizable contributions to the community is their involvement with the Heritage of Flight Festival each year, and their representation at the Dayton International Airport at every single Honor Flight Dayton homecoming, where the cadets eagerly welcome home the veterans returning from a day spent in Washington, D.C.
New Carlisle Mayor Lowell McGlothin attended the joint government meeting and commended the cadets for their continued service to the Heritage of Flight Festival, saying that their contributions are always much-appreciated. New Carlisle Clerk Gene Collier told Msgt. Ruiz that his son’s experience in Tecumseh JROTC was the highlight of his high school career, noting that the program “molded him and made him the person he is today.”
Linder and Dague explained that ROTC cadets are a diverse corps, as they engage in a variety of academic and athletic activities at school. Many play football, basketball, and other sports, while their academic achievements are also noteworthy, as Linder said that the highest-ranking student in the senior class is a member of ROTC, and said that cadets also act as Vice President of the Senior Class and the National Honor Society.
Members of the ROTC’s Cyber Patriot Club will enter a competition this Friday to put their skills to good use. Linder said the Cyber Patriot Club is being pushed by the government as a viable skill for future soldiers and sailors, as it equips them with the skills necessary to combat computer viruses and hacking. This is the first year that Tecumseh cadets have focused intently on the program, Linder said, as they did not have anyone with strong technological skills to lead them, but noted that they now have Cadet Lewis, who maintains a strong grasp on the subject and shares the skills with the rest of the cadets.
The corps has also re-introduced the program’s newspaper, “Arrow Point,” which is published monthly and provides updates on programs, goals, accomplishments, and upcoming events, as well as standard puzzles and comics.
In closing, Linder and Dague earnestly told the governmental representatives in attendance that their program maintained a strong focus on community service, and told them not to hesitate if their respective municipalities needed any assistance, as they would be there to help.
Next week, the New Carlisle News will speak with Dennis Kelly, who implemented the Tecumseh ROTC program, to learn his thoughts on the program’s accomplishments since its inception 28 years ago.
