FORT LEE, Va. (Feb. 14, 2013) -- Leadership, self-discipline and confidence are all traits that parents hope to instill in their teens, which is the reason why extra-curricular high school activities like the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program are popular.
JROTC fosters teamwork and pride through a curriculum that includes uniform inspections, drill competitions, charity projects, leadership opportunities and more. Students in the program aren't being groomed for military service, but the values they learn are quite similar to those embraced by the U.S. Armed Forces.
Some of the local JROTC programs are taking that education one step further by actually visiting military organizations at Fort Lee and allowing the students to see first-hand how service members train and live. The most recent example occurred Friday when a group from Monacan High School in Chesterfield visited the 345th Training Squadron here to see how the Air Force builds future Airmen.
The visitors were greeted by a bevy of eager Air Force personnel from various occupational specialties who wanted to show them what could be accomplished when education, technical skill, communication and teamwork all come together under a unified mission. Lt. Col. Richard Apple, commander of the 345th TRS, kicked off the tour in the Air Force Highbay facility. After sharing some of his career experiences, he answered questions like, "What wars have you served in?" and "What's it like when you're deployed?" The students were awestruck as the colonel spoke of 40-foot flames from aircraft engines preparing for takeoff, being on the last plane out of Iraq and things like travelling all over the world.
The next stop on the tour was the Highbay training area, and exclamations of "wow" and "I want to see that" could be heard as the students saw the large C-130E aircraft mock-up inside. They clung to Staff Sgt. Michael Matas-Scheurer not wanting to miss a word as he explained how they would need to hook up their line before the rear hatch opened or the flight crew gave the OK to jump out of the plane.
Next on the itinerary was an opportunity for the second-year JROTC class to chat with five recent graduates from basic training.
The curious visitors wanted to know what boot camp and technical training was really like and what the young troops liked most about the Air Force thus far.
Each of the Airmen easily fielded the questions they were asked, and added key points like the importance of being part of a joint team and working in concert with all branches of the military. They also mentioned the Air Force's emphasis on education and the vast array of specialty areas one can go into, depending on a particular interest. The military students shared the experiences of learning discipline and the feeling of accomplishment when they graduated and received their Air Force coin.
"That's the point when you have earned the right to be called an Airman," noted Staff Sgt Shermon Phillips, the military training leader, who is responsible for overseeing the students' transition from basic to technical training.
Continuing their tour, the JROTC students were taken to the Aerial Delivery facility on A Avenue where Tech Sgt. Jacob Spotts and Staff Sgt. Stephen Dowse from the Parachute Rigger Course explained the process of dropping cargo of every shape and size from the back of a plane. The students climbed aboard a simulator where a Humvee delivery was staged. "The load stops at the back of the plane," said Dowse, "but the plane keeps going. That's how it's done."
The Joint Culinary Center of Excellence was next on the itinerary. Staff Sgt. Angelina Marrero briefed the students before handing out chef hats required for entry into the facility kitchens where Air Force culinary students were preparing lunch. Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Gideon, the chief enlisted manager, took time to talk with the youths, as did Capt. Tamara Kidd, the squadron's operations officer and Master Sgt. Michelle Medford, Services Academy flight chief.
A military unit organizing a formation outside captured the attention of the JROTC class and many of them flocked to the window for a better view. Several students also noticed the small table in the corner of the room with a single chair leaning against it. They stood in silence as they read the description of the POW/MIA display and its poignant purpose.
"These are good kids," said retired Air Force Maj. Timothy Logan, the Monacan JROTC instructor. "And this is certainly a day for them to think outside the box. Some of these students already know what they're going to do after they graduate. For those who are not yet sure, today will give them greater insight into the many choices they have."
The final stops of the tour included the newly built Air Force-Navy barracks complex that clearly impressed the JROTC class, as indicated by the many favorable remarks about appearance and modern amenities. After that, the students headed for the one facility that was sure to wow them more than any others that day.
Entering a large warehouse on post, they came face to face with the Engagement Skills Trainer 2000 and the Reconfigurable Vehicle Tactics Trainer -- both computer-driven simulators that help service members train for combat.
Quickly learning that these devices were far more complex than a home video game, the students discovered the importance of group tactics, listening, staying focused, being confident and teamwork above everything else.
"The 345th TRS personnel did an outstanding job coordinating and executing this tour," said Logan after the event. "For the Monacan High School JROTC students, it is certain that they went home thinking about this day. It's not something they will soon forget."
(Air Force Capt. Christopher Hulbert, Transportation Training Flight commander, contributed to this story.)
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