The History of Rogers Junior ROTC

The Governor John R. Rogers High School Junior Reserver Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program was established in Septermber of 1994. The Senior Army Instructor at the time, and still is right now, is MAJ (R) Monte L. Mingus. The Army Instructor from 1994 - 1997 was CSM (R) Mariano R.C. Leon-Guerrero. The current Army Instructor is SGM (R) Norman A. Fowler.

In 1994, the enrollment of the Rogers JROTC program was 89 cadets. As of December 1998, the enrollment is 155 cadets. Rogers JROTC is in the First Brigade of Fourth Region ROTC, commanded by Colonel Rassmussen (First Brigade), and Colonel Richard Mackey Sr.(Fourth Region ROTC). In Spring of 1997, the RAM Battalion conducted its first Annual Formal Inspection. On this inspection, the RAM Battalion scored a 97.6%, which is the best of 108 schools inspected, and we earned the title of Honor Unit with Distinction.

The RAM Battalion has the privelige of having several guest speakers and visitors during the last two years. General (R) Colin Powell spoke to several cadets in January 1998. The first JROTC program MG Wallace visited after taking command of Cadet Command was the RAM Battalion. On 07 DEC 98, LTC Dalh, a survivor of the Pearl Harbot attack spoke to the cadets. We look forward to hosting more guest speakers in the future.

Annually, the RAM Battalion holds a Military Ball, and an Awards Night Banquet. At each event, local dignitaries are invited, and we have a guest speaker. Some of the past guest speakers include Major General John Hemphill, Brigadaire General Stephen Ritchie, Brigadaire General William Heilman, Colonel Richard Mackey Sr., Command Sergeant Major John Lee, and Dr. Richard Sovde, the Puyallup School District Superintendant.

The RAM Battalion annually attends a Spring Camp, held at Fort Lewis, Washington, along with nine other JROTC Battalions from other schools. At Spring Camp, cadets rappell, challenge obstacle courses, leadership reaction courses, and confidence courses. Cadets conduct PT each morning, have barracks inspections, and live a military lifestyle for a week.

Approximately 18% of Rogers JROTC cadets attend college ROTC after high school each year with two academy appoints being earned by cadets, and about 10% enlist into one of the Armed Forces. The RAM Battalion frequently participates Community Service activities, conducts fundraisers, earning over $8,000 annually for the program.

The RAM Battalion has four extra-curricular activities for cadets to participate in. The Ram Team (known as a Raider team at other schools), Color Guard, Honor Guard, and an Unarmed Drill Team. During the year, the Color Guard and Unarmed Drill Team compete against other schools in drill competitions. In 1997, the Rogers JROTC Color Guard Team #1 took Second place at the regional competition at Walla Walla High School.