--------------------------
The JROTC Newsletter
Issue 5
the_jrotc_en@geocities.com
--------------------------
----------------------
Letter From the Editor
----------------------
I can't believe there are even more letters coming in regarding the "ROTC TOO TOUGH" article printed two issues ago! Obviously there are many cadets out there who stand up for the JROTC program, and feel like they have to set the record straight about a few things. If that controversy sparked such a response, just you wait! In this issue someone complains about NJROTC being sexist. Do you think this is true? Have you seen similar things happening in your unit? Remember, send respones to the_jrotc_en@geocities.com with a subject line of "submission" and you article might show up in the next issue!
I also have had some problems with Eudora Light's address book. Unfortunately it was not the programs fault, it was the users. I accidentally erased the whole list of subscribers, but I think I managed to rebuild the whole address book. I'm glad I saved all those subscription requests you sent me. If there still is a problem, email me.
In this issue...
*Why JROTC Is Good For All Teens
*Is NJROTC Sexist?
*Yet Another Reply to "ROTC TOO TOUGH"
*AETC Discussion on WWW
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Why JROTC Is Good For All Teens
Submission by Nathan Smith
(Former TX-861st Group Commander and C/Col., Class of 1998)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I've been reading articles in here about one person saying ROTC
was a waste of time and the responses, as well as the article about how
some Anti-ROTC group always protest.
Well, I have one thing to say, I agree with all the people who
told this Andrew Olson person that he was wrong. I think that people
should mind their own business about what cadets do in ROTC. I as a
former cadet had overheard many students talk about ROTC being dumb and
only nerds join it. I told them that they need to shut up and mind their
own business, and they never said anything around me after that. ROTC
helps build confidence and leadrership and it put me on the right track.
I felt glad that I joined ROTC after seeing what many of our youth are
doing today thats harming them and others. For example, my family is
from the South Side of Chicago, and whenever I go up there, I hear
stories about all these youth getting shot, or they're into crack and
marijuana, or they're claiming this gang like Gangsta Disciples or
whatever. I take a look at these youth that are victimized by the crime
and drugs and see how they are going on the road to nowhere. It's a
shame to see all of this happen. It comes to show that some youth could
use ROTC.
When I first joined ROTC, I thought that I would never see the
top, but after a while, I knew that if I put the effort into it, I'd make
it, and by my senior year, I finally made it. Another good thing about
ROTC was that there were various teams to participate on like Phssical
Fitness, Rocketry, Drill Team, Color Guard, Saber Team, and other various
teams and clubs to join.
The bottom line is, ROTC is a good organization to participate in
and it helps build self-confidence and leadership. If I could do it all
over again, I would.
Nathan Smith(C/Col. Ret.)
Former TX-861st AFJROTC Group Commander
Class of 1998, Westwood HS, Austin, TX
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Is NJROTC Sexist?
Submission by c/PO3 Ashley Barthel
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi, I'm c/PO3 Ashley Barthel, assistant training officer for ***********
H.S. NJROTC. I just wanted to make a public complaint about my home unit
and wanted to know if anyone elses units were so unfair.
Last year, the summer before my freshman year, our unit sent 20 cadets
to Drill team camp. One out of those 20 freshmen was a female. Our
instructor told everyone that if they went, they would automatically be
promoted to an E-2. I wanted to go, not for the promotion, but because I
had planned on being on drill team. I was informed that I couldnt go,
which was fine with me. I always thought that there would be next year.
Well, its next year and now my instructors are sending 10 male cadets
all upcoming sophomores and two female cadets, one a senior and one a
junior to Leadership Academy. The leadership academy clearly stated that
there could NOT be any upcoming sophomores going, yet 10 from my unit
are going. My instructors made special plans for them to go. They are
all dedicated cadets, I know them on a personal basis, but when I
requesteed to go to leadership Academy I was told that I couldnt because
freshmen couldnt go and because they only signed up for two females
which I think is descriminatory.
I myself am a dedicated cadet, I participated in every unit event except
one because I broke my knee, And I was constantly told that I was a high
priority and I was going to be going to leadership academy as well as
any other camps we siged up for during the year so I had to keep up my
grades. I dont mean to put down my unit, but whenever I ask why females
cant have the same priveleges as males I am told "this is how it has
always been and this is how it will always be so get over it!" (I know
that sounds like a scene from GI Jane or something) And I really dont
think thats fair. Is anyone elses unit like this???
Sincerely
c/PO3 Barthel,A
~proud to be female
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Yet Another Reply to "ROTC TOO TOUGH"
Submission by C/PO2 Yu, Jia Quan (Tom)
Milpitas High School
Navy JROTC
--------------------------------------------------------------------
A comment (more like a story), about "ROTC TOO TOUGH."
I joined ROTC, the first time they came to my school for recuirting
because I wanted to be with a group of people that enjoyed working hard
(both in school work, and practive etc...). The time I signed up with
ROTC, I was 30 pounds over weigh, no coordination at all, not many
friends, no moviation to do good in school execpt by my parents, and my
chance of getting into a good college, next to nil (because I didn't
have any extracurricular activites).
By the 2nd week of school, I had about 20 new friends, people motivation
to do good in school, people motivating me to lose weigh in a good way
(not with jokes, but explaining to me that it was a disadvantage). By
this time I was on the "freshmen" drill team, and doing ok. By the
fourth week of school. I have already attended a parade, a really big
unit picnic, and a fun car wash. By the end of 1st semester, I already
attended 4 parades, and one drill meet. I also had 30+ hours of
community service, (it was a lot more than the previous year, 5 hours).
I had the Unit Service Ribbon, Community Service Ribbon, and the
Encincal Ribbon (an AJROTC drill meet). During our annual inspection, I
was squad leader, and performed with the Unarmed Drill Team. Later that
Feburary, I was on the Academic Team (a Freshmen), and Unarmed Drill
Team (varsity unarmed team). By the end of the year, I was Historian
(got the job, early march), on Drill Team with Arms, sub on the UDT, on
the Academic Team, on Public Affairs staff, Honor Guard (during Military
Ball), the rifle team, and performed with the regular Color Guard
during Graduation of class '98. During the year I accumalated 70+ hours
of civie duty, 40+ hours of Unit service, performed in numerous events,
went on a lot of field trips, and had a lot of fun. On the last day of
school, many said their good-byes, and congrulated on my way to becoming
skinning again, I weighed about the same, but I gained more muscle mass,
grown about an inch, and got into better overall health. Although it
was my freshmen year of high school, I still believe it has been my best
school year so far, for me.
I am the current Historian of my unit, I am a PO2 (E-5, we only advance
twice a year).
So MR. Andrew Olson, how do you like my true-story. During the school
year, I gained better knowledge of life, gotten better grades, on my way
to a university, gotten in shape, gained knowledge of weapons safety. I
have also seen several students, that were about to drop-out of high
school, but only to remain in school, thanks to our Instructors, and
fellow cadets. I also went places, and seen things I probably would not
have, thanks to JROTC.
And it's not imitadition people are feeling, it's their way of saying
they are different, it's natural reaction from people new to the
environment. But finally they want to be in the them, but feel they
can't. Personal experience.
If that doesn't answer your question. Feel free (to everyone) to email
me at y_tom@hotmail.com. This program has been at my school for nearly
20 years without any problems at all, hundreds of schools are fighting
for this limited program (be thankful for what you have, a lot others
don't") We contrubited over 700+ hours of community service, this year
alone.
To you cadets at Duluth, MN.
Keep fighting
Why?
Because that's the cadet way
Why?
I like it, I love it, I want more of it
Why?
Cauze I ain't got any slack for it
Why?
Cauze it's the way it is. You don't quit at any cost.
HOORAH
Semper Fi
(This cadet believes in sucess for you guys).
--------------------------------------------------------------------
AETC Discussion on WWW
Submission by C/Capt. Taylor
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Each Year AETC sponsors a Video Competition for AFJROTC units.
In an attempt to produce better videos and hopefully allow
younger units to learn from past video entries, afjrotc hq! is
attempting to form a discussion on a variety of topics that
relate to the competition. Topics like : Video Layout, Editing
Techniques, Past Experiences, Do's and Don'ts.
If you have worked on a past AETC video or are interested in
discussing this years competition please contact me at :
afjrotc_1@hotmail.com
C/Capt. Taylor
------
http://members.tripod.com/~afjrotc_1/video/video.html
------------
Links
------------
JROTC UNITS
-----------
AFJROTC
*TX-861st Westwood HS Austin, TX.http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/2161/
*061st Derby Ks..................http://members.aol.com/AIMHIGHJM/AFJROTCindex.html
*Los Lunas HS Tiger Battalion....http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/1686
*OH-091 Web Site.................http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/2107
*Bedford HS Army JROTC...........http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/4961/JROTC.html
*NC 939 Sanderson High School....http://www.rtpnet.org/~shsjrotc/
ROTC/JROTC MISC
---------------
World Wide Web
*JROTC Universe..................http://members.tripod.com/~megaman34001/Index.html
*AFJROTC HQ......................http://members.tripod.com/~afjrotc_1/
Newsgroups
*alt.military.afrotc
*alt.military.cadet
--Submit your site by sending email to the_jrotc_en@geocities.com--
--------------------------------------------------------
FAQ v1.1
Editors note: Again, here is the FAQ for new subscribers
--------------------------------------------------------
The JROTC Newsletter FAQ (v 1.1)
==================================
"*" Is beside anything that has been updated or added since the last FAQ came out
If you have a question that you think should be added to the FAQ, email the_jrotc_en@geocities.com
*Q: What is the JROTC Electronic Newsletter?
A: The JROTC Electronic Newsletter is an email newsletter sent to anyone on the mailing list. It contains news, info, links, and other interesting stuff. The best part about it is that anyone can submit a JROTC article.
Q: How do I subscribe?
A: Send email to "the_jrotc_en@geocities.com" with subscribe somewhere in the subject line (for filter purposes), and wait a few weeks until the first issue comes out.
* Q: When will the first issue come out?
A: When I get enough articles. Please, please, please send in articles!
* Q: Who can write an article, and what does it have to be about?
A: Anyone can write an article. Just send it to "the_jrotc_en@geocities.com" with submission anywhere in the heading (again for filtering purposes). It can be about anything, but since it is a JROTC newsletter, make it have something to do with JROTC. I will read all of the articles submitted. The final cut is up to me, but unless the article is really bad, it will most likely make it in. For more info see the web page at "http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/1055/". You can also add a link to your favorite JROTC website. Just send it as if you were sending any other aritcle submission.
Q: How can I be removed from the mailing list?
A: Be removed? Why would anybody want to be removed? If you want to be removed, email "the_jrotc_en@geocities.com".
Q: What if I have any other questions or comments?
A: By now I think you could probably just guess....email "the_jrotc_en@geocities.com".
--THE END--
the_jrotc_en@geocities.com
(
geocities.com/pentagon/bunker) (
geocities.com/pentagon)