Why JROTC in Each High School?

I got a couple of teachers asking me about my proposal to have Junior ROTC program in each high school. They have concerns about teaching resources, space and time, an if enough students.

Here is my thinking and why it will work and should work.

I remember the excitement shown during LCPS first JROTC (Navy one) opening days in 2009. Some parents even move to Leesburg just so their children can go to the JROTC program at Loudoun High School there.  Maybe that's because 16 years ago things were changing?  One thing for sure is that we have willing retired military personnel to come out, one of my neighbors was selected to teach JROTC when he retired from the Navy. Also, I think the program can/should use after-school hours, including weekends. Another example is weekend programs like Navy's Sea Cadet Corp, Airforce Civil Air Patrol (I think that's the name). I believe many students are willing to try. My young son went to Sea Cadet Corp during high school years -he liked it the first day and now he is a cadet at AirForce Academy.

To top off - JROTC, like sports, drama/matching bands, are activities that nurture teamwork, discipline, etc. More importantly, to have children live more in the real-world that surrounds them, less social media/smartphones. The latter is often the source of depression, anxiety, bullying, etc., and leads to mental health issues that I will focus on if elected.

JROTC funding usually comes from the Department of Defense. Since the program runs after school and on weekends, parents and veteran volunteers can be organized to help. I believe that’s how JROTC programs operated in the past, when it was common for high schools to offer them. My younger son’s Sea Cadet Corps was run that way. Yes, each family chips in for uniforms and other expenses. For families with fewer resources, help is available—we support each other like a family, or even more than that, in military terms.