MCHS MCJROTC Presents To 8th Graders
 
“Many people do not recognize opportunity, as it is often disguised as work.”
Major Tom McGrath, Senior Marine Instructor for the Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC), emphasized the opportunities afforded to students in the program in a presentation to 8th graders at Barker and Krueger Middle Schools. This was provided to the students prior to completing their schedule requests for their freshman year.
 
JROTC is an elective course where the curriculum is focused on developing leadership skills. Cadets are challenged to strive to be leaders, but nothing overly demanding, be it academic or physical. Citing the many leaders who have used their training in the military to become successful in many other careers, McGrath stated that the MCJROTC is a leadership program, not a preparation for a military program. There is no military commitment. For those who are interested in the military, McGrath highlighted the advanced promotion for enlisted personnel and assistance for students in applying for an ROTC scholarship (worth $190,000) or a military academy (worth $375,000).
 
Following McGrath’s brief introduction, cadets demonstrated a Regulation Military Drill, Armed Exhibition Drill, and some of the events in a JROTC Raider competition.
 
“I think that the 8th graders were pretty impressed at how versatile our cadets were in displaying a variety of physical skills,” said Marine Instructor Master Sergeant Jeff Benak.
 
The Cadet Commanding Officer, 1st Lieutenant Daniel Kohn, and the Cadet Administration Officer, Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Payton Downs, demonstrated the knowledge they’ve gained from the JROTC. Both are in their 4th year of the program. Kohn is applying to the U.S. Naval Academy, and Downs to an ROTC Nursing Scholarship.
 
All cadets will continue to support MCHS and the community. Since starting the second semester, the cadets have provided Color Guards for all home boys basketball games and swim meets. They have also helped at the Sacred Heart Food Pantry in Michigan City. The Military Drill Team has been preparing for their next meet at Indianapolis Ben Davis High School on January 31. They will also provide the Color Guard for the Heritage Night festivities that night after returning from the competition. Michigan City Area Schools #wims