Although only about 10 students strong, Newton High School’s JROTC program is not letting size get in the way of its goals as the students work to prepare for their three year inspection in the spring.
“The inspection that we do is to verify our JROTC program,” said Major Carter Meckard, commanding officer of Newton JROTC. “Each JROTC has a verification every three years. It’s just a certification, where we have to have certain things done.”
The inspection process requires the program to have completed certain tasks, Meckard said. For instance, he said, Dec. 15 the JROTC students will participate in a drill competition, where the cadets will drill in front of judges.
“Our biggest thing that we’re doing is our ACT boot camps, for our cadets,” he said. “In the bootcamps, we’re trying to help each cadet in the JROTC get an 18 on the ACT.”
Students, who score lower than 18 on the ACT, are typically required to take remedial classes once they get to college, Meckard said. By helping the cadets prepare for the exam, he said they hope cadets will be able to excel in higher academics without additional courses weighing them down.
Additionally, Meckard said the cadets are working hard on community service projects. Earlier in the year, he said the JROTC helped clean up a local church, volunteered for Decatur Treat Street and participated in the Newton Christmas Parade.
While the 3-year inspection isn’t something to take lightly, Meckard said, Newton’s cadets are ready.
“Our JROTC, we’re really preparing for it,” he said.
Newton High School JROTC is open to students in grades 9-12. For students, who graduate with four years of JROTC credit, Meckard said scholarships are available to ROTC programs at universities across the United States.
