Willard High School's
NJROTC program teaches students discipline, respect, courage, self confidence, honor, and commitment. Cadets learn about military life, as well as everyday skills such as orienteering, first aid, health, and physical fittness. Cadets have the chance to compete for promotions, as well as performing jobs that military personel do. These jobs include: Administration, Athletics, Academics, Supply, Public Affairs, Information Technology, and Operations. The skills that the cadets learn can help them if they choose to join the military, or if they choose a career in a civilian field. Dedicated cadets come out of the unit as more driven individuals, striving to do their best at everything.
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"Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months, and yeards they spend preparing for it.
The voctorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character."
-T. Alan Armstrong
"If you can't run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl. Whatever you do just keep moving forward."
-Dr. Martin L. King jr.
"I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion."
-Mia Hamm
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Willard (Mo.) NJROTC Cadets Rock With U.S. Navy Band Washington, D.C.
“The band was absolutely amazing,” said cadet Senior Chief Rachelle Griffin after seeing the U.S. Navy Band Washington, D.C., perform this week. Griffin and nine other cadets from Willard, Mo. flew to Washington as part of an orientation program of Willard High School NJROTC.
“We have a lot of cadets who are also in the school’s band program so we decided to take them to see the Navy’s premier band,” said retired Navy Captain Steve Burnett, the school’s Senior Naval Science Instructor. “We like for our cadets to see what kind of education and training it takes for the various jobs in the Navy.”
The cadets flew to Washington on a Gulf Stream IV (C-20) jet belonging to VR-48 out of Andrews Air Force Base. “The C-20 was really fast,” said cadet Seaman Recruit Allison Collister. “It was my first time ever flying on any kind of plane so it was exciting!”
Other cadets on the trip included: cadet Chief Rebekah Baker; cadet Petty Officers Second Class Katelyn Hayter, Jacob Cook, Jacob Broz and Clayton Carter; and cadet Seaman Recruits Halea Slack, Acacia Haight and Justin Randall.
According to Navy Musicians Petty Officer First Class Adam Grimm, who set up the trip, the mission of the band is to provide musical support to the President, the Department of the Navy and other senior military and government officials. Grimm scheduled the Willard cadets to be in Washington at the Navy Yard while the band was practicing for the Navy’s 236 Anniversary Concert to be held this weekend.
“To get to see the band rehearse for the birthday ball before everyone else gets to see the concert was really special,” said Baker. “The show is a tribute to every member of the Navy.”
“I had no idea how hard it is to get in to the Navy Band until making this visit,” said Cook. “Now I know what it takes so if I decide I want to be a professional musician with the Navy, I know what to do.”
Randall was surprised to find out most of the members of the band have bachelor and masters degrees. “Some of them even have their doctorate degrees,” he added. “Their level of experience before coming in to the Navy band is also amazing! One of the guitar players had been a backup player for Katy Perry.”
The cadets spent two days with the band and interfaced with several band members to learn about how they got into the band. The musicians also told the cadets what it is like to be in the band. All the band members cautioned you really have to love music and your instrument to have the dedication needed to make it to the Navy’s premier musical organization.
Captain Brian Walden, the Commanding Officer and leader of the band, said, “We love to have young musicians come to see the band and work with us.” He added, “This was a special group since they are all also members of NJROTC.”
While at the Navy Yard the cadets also took the opportunity to visit the Navy Museum and the decommissioned USS Barry. Cook was very impressed with the museum, especially with the interactive displays. “I spent most of my time operating the deck guns,” said Cook. “They even had an area for submarines with the dive horn and periscopes.”
Carter said he was amazed to see so many original artifacts. “To see the actual weapons and other things used by our Naval heroes was really fun,” he added.
In the afternoon the cadets ventured to the Capitol area where they had the opportunity to go to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Cook said the best part of the museum was the flight simulator. “I was the best at the flight simulator,” he noted. “It is a tremendous museum and one of the highlights of the trip.”
Of course no trip to Washington, D.C. would be complete without seeing the Nation’s Capitol. Cadets took time to go to the Capitol steps and take pictures. Broz, who has been to Washington before, said, “You never tire of the beauty of the buildings and monuments.”
The trip back to Missouri was in a Wisconsin Air National Guard Fairchild C-26 Metroliner. “We were really happy to see the C-26 arrive at Andrews,” said Hayter. “It is smaller than the C-20, but still a very comfortable aircraft.”
Willard NJROTC has a very active program getting cadets out to see the military. In the last eight years according to Burnett the cadets have travelled to Hawaii, Spain, Greece, and Italy and all over the United States. “Our goal is to get cadets some ‘real world’ experience,” Burnett said. “We couldn’t do it without the support of our high school administrators and the school board.”
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