The Michigan City High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) conducted a demonstration for 8th graders at Kreuger, Elston and Barker Middle Schools. The demonstrations were to familiarize the 8th graders with some of the aspects of the MCJROTC prior to them scheduling their courses for the next school year. The Marine Corps requires schools to have at least 100 cadets in order to maintain the program. Current MCJROTC enrollment at MCHS is just above 100.
Major Tom McGrath, the Senior Marine Instructor, provided the opening remarks. He emphasized that the JROTC is a leadership program, not a preparation for the military program, where the skills a student obtains in the course is applicable to any career, not just the military. “We are trying to break the misperception that this program is only for those interested in the military,” he said. “For those who are interested in the military, a JROTC cadet can earn advanced promotion as an enlisted person and hundreds of dollars in scholarship funds for college ROTC scholarships.”
The cadets demonstrated regulation drill, exhibition drill, and a military physical fitness competition. Two senior cadets, one male and one female, gave their impressions of the program. A question and answer session followed. The 8th graders had many and diverse questions, with many expressing an interest to enroll in the JROTC.
“I really enjoyed doing this for the 8th graders,” said Cadet 1st Lieutenant Paul Tobalt, who gave his impressions to the 8th graders. “It was a demanding day, doing IDR (regulation drill) and exhibition at 3 different schools. I think we impressed a lot of .8th graders.”
Cadet Sergeant Lyeiva Henrich, who was the other cadet to speak to the 8th graders, emphasized that girls can do just as well as boys do in the JROTC. “I think some girls are intimidated by the drill and physical training of the program. But when they see our girls doing the same things as the boys, they say to themselves ‘Hey, I can do this if these girls can. ‘I am confident that that we convinced at least a few girls to join today.”
Master Sergeant Jeff Benak, the Marine Instructor, felt that the cadets represented the JROTC and the Marine Corps well at the three middle schools. “Our cadets showed the professionalism that is synonymous with the Marine Corps. I know that there are many 8th graders who want to be part of that professionalism.”
The cadets will next compete in the Chicagoland military drill competition in Arlington Heights, IL on February 2nd.