Joe Johnson/Clarendon Citizen
SBHS’s JROTC receives honors
The mission of this nation’s Junior ROTC is “to motivate young people to be better citizens.”
If Scott’s Branch’s Eagle Battalion’s latest inspection is any indication of the success of this mission at the Summerton high school, then the world had better watch out.
These kids are going places.
According to Battalion Commander Sgt. Major Joe Johnson, the school’s unit recently went through an intense 11-point inspection by outside Army inspectors, the result of which allowed the SBHS unit to be named an “Honor Unit with Distinction.”
The unit members were evaluated on everything from their academics (receiving 97 of 100 points) to drill and ceremony (receiving 50 of 50 points) to physical training and security detail (received maximum points).
The tangible effect of that designation is that the school will be allotted four slots to this country’s prestigious service academics, including the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the U.S. Air Force academy in Colorado Springs and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.
Regular appointments to the service academies are by nomination by Senators, Congressmen, the President or Vice President.
“I was really proud of my kids,” said Johnson. “These are really outstanding kids. They do a terrific job every day. They take on all kinds of assignments and never balk at any of them.”
SBHS JROTC members have become the go to unit for color guards, ushering details and parades, according to Johnson.
“These kids also police a two-mile stretch of Hwy. 301 in the Adopt-a-Highway program and have been named group of the year two times,” Johnson added.
On June 6, Johnson will accompany 16 of his best students to a six-day “boot camp” at Ft. Jackson in Columbia for a brief taste of Army life and training.
“Our kids will join approximately 1,200 other kids from across the region to learn navigation, water safety, robotics, conflict resolution, leadership skills and physical training,” Johnson said.
The goal of the Jr. ROTC program is to provide a quality citizenship, character and leadership development program, while fostering partnerships with communities and educational institutions.
Based on their recent inspect, the Eagle Battalion is right on target.
