J RO T C
I S I T FOR M
E?
Interested in getting a taste of the military life while you’re still
in high school? Joining JROTC (Junior Army Reserve Officers
Training Corps) might be a good option. MAJ Joey Hutto and
SFC Danny Hunter, Army JROTC Instructors at Wetumpka High
School, provided some information to help you decide if JROTC
is right for you.
Do I have to join the military if I join JROTC?
The absolute biggest misconception is that by joining JROTC, you are obligated
to join the military. That is incorrect. If you join JROTC and then decide to join
the military, though, there are advantages. You will enter at a higher rank and pay
grade, and you will have a working knowledge of basic military activities.
Do JROTC participants typically enlist?
Actually, no. We have a total of 130 Cadets this year; including 9th, 10th, 11th,
and 12th graders. From the senior group, we have as many going to college as
we do joining the military. I would guess about 40% join the military, 40% join
college, and 20% join the workforce.
How will JROTC benefit me if I don’t join the military?
We help you build a foundation for life. Students generally have three options:
go to college, join the military, or enter the workforce. Your decision is solely up
to you- we do not push one choice over the others. We encourage students to
make smart decisions, prepare themselves for their journey, and treat people with
respect.
We work on leadership traits, discipline, teamwork, decision making, and a lot
of community service. We also teach etiquette classes and have Cadets attend a
Military Ball. This is very much so a life skills class as much as a "military class”.
Students leave this class with a portfolio and options. We teach them to seize
opportunities, assume responsibility, and be accountable for their actions.
MAJ Joey Hutto served 22 years and six months as Active
Duty in the U.S. Army. He now serves as the JROTC
Senior Army Instructor at Wetumpka High School.
SPOTLIGHT
C/LTC Matthew Blevins
C/LTC Matthew Blevins, Battalion
Commander for the Wetumpka High
School JROTC, chose to join JROTC
because he wanted to follow the foot-
steps of his father, who was the “Flight
Commander” of his Air Force JROTC
while in high school. However, Matthew
has no plans to pursue a military career.
He explained, “JROTC has had a very
positive impact on my life, but has
shown me the military is not something
I would want to do. I plan on going to
law school and becoming an attorney
here in Alabama.”
Even though he is not interested in a
military career, Matthew still values his
JROTC experience.
“The program has significantly im-
proved me as a person, and has taught
me how to properly handle leadership,”
Matthew shared. “When I was selected
for my first leadership position as a
Company First Sergeant, I was really out
of my comfort zone. Over my four years
in JROTC, I have grown much more
comfortable with the role and achieved
the highest position in the program.”
He suggested other students should
strongly consider joining JROTC, stat-
ing, “Any student who wants to improve
their leadership, discipline, or life skills
should definitely join JROTC.”
SFC Danny Hunter served twenty years and six months
Active Duty Service in the U.S Army. He now serves as a
JROTC Army Instructor at Wetumpka High School.
www.potentialmagazine.com
Winter 2018 |
39