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River Ridge JROTC Program Named Distinguished Unit

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune Correspondent

Published: May 11, 2008

They have met Florida's attorney general and performed the color guard ceremony at Tampa Bay Rays games.

They have overseen massive Toys For Tots distributions and entertained nursing home residents.

And for the sixth year in a row, the River Ridge High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps has won the Distinguished Unit Award from the national Air Force Junior ROTC program.

"Of 879 Air Force Junior ROTC units, about 10 percent of the units win this award," said Master Sgt. Bob King, who leads the unit with Lt. Col. Grady Jones. "In winning the award, we were honored both for community service and service at River Ridge."

The 105-member unit has proven itself a viable force in the Pasco County community. It regularly conducts roadside cleanups in the New Port Richey area and performs opening color guard ceremonies at the Special Olympics games at River Ridge High.

It also performs dance and entertainment programs at local nursing homes.

"The visits are fun," said senior Andrew Singer, 18. "It's amazing how much our visits seem to mean to the older people. They laugh and joke with us."

The unit recently conducted a flag ceremony at Pasco-Hernando Community College in honor of Veteran's Day. Each year, the unit travels to Mitchell High School to help coordinate and oversee toy distribution on behalf of West Pasco Toys For Tots.

Such community service activities adhere to the core philosophy of JROTC: "Integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do," King said.

"We teach the kids that if they follow these core values, they'll be successful," he said. "We're preparing these kids for life after high school."

It's a lesson well-learned, said senior Rebekah Niesen, 18.

"I needed discipline, and JROTC gave me that. It's made me more confident," she said. "I've learned about teamwork and public speaking. I feel so much more prepared for a career."

The unit does a lot at River Ridge High, too, such as welcoming special guests, escorting new students to class and performing color guard presentations at athletic events.

During the holidays, the unit conducts a charity food drive at school and an adopt-a-family project.

"We teach these kids to give back and to reach for the stars," King said.

In Junior ROTC classes, students learn everything from aerospace science to resume and job interview preparation to negotiating an apartment lease.

"I have so much more common sense since being in JROTC," said Andrew Singer, who is enlisting in the Marine Corps after graduation. "I ask more-intelligent questions and feel ready to jump right into life."

"We learn about leadership and integrity here," said 17-year-old senior Ashley Schafer. "Being involved in the JROTC will help me get into the Air Force."

Because of her involvement in JROTC, Schaefer automatically will step forward two ranks when she enters the Air Force after graduation.

The unit performs field drills every Friday and wears uniforms once a week and at special events. Members take field trips to area Air Force bases and to the Young Eagles flying camp. But King said JROTC is not a recruiting unit.

"Some of the kids do go into the military, but our main goal is to inspire the kids to be successful at whatever they do," he said.

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