Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

School reviews JROTC program

A Junior Reserve Officer Training Course instructor from El Dorado, who has bought land near Gurdon, is trying to get Gurdon High School involved in the program "because it makes the students better students and gets them motivated."

Tommie Campbell, the instructor from El Dorado, said Tuesday at the School Board meeting Cadet Command is looking for Arkansas communities to expand to and the offer is being made to Gurdon. He would be the instructor from the start, if the school district gives JROTC a green light.

"It is all about the kids becoming better citizens," he said. "This is not a recruitment procedure for the Army, but rather a learning experience with discipline and respect. They learn a creed, turn each morning to a half-left and say the Pledge of Allegiance."

Campbell said upper classmen sometimes teach classes. It is not just the troubled kids, although all types are invited to join from grades 9-12. There is an eighth grade preparation program offered as well.

"To start JROTC in Gurdon, we need to begin with between four and six classes of 12 or so students each, but it takes a minimum of 50 students to get going," Campbell said. "People worry about push-ups and such, but that is just part of our motivational techniques. With all the talk of obesity in schools, our cadet challenges can really be of help.

"I believe if we get our original 50, JROTC will take off in Gurdon. This is a turn-key operation. You give us facilities, lights and heat (plus instructor pay) and Cadet Command comes in and does the rest."

Campbell said starting JROTC would cost the school district approximately $33,000 for the first year. This gets Campbell's instructor pay covered, plus he said the program needs "a normal class room space times two."

According to Campbell, once the 50 students have signed up and the program is ready to begin, Cadet Command will contribute $30,000 for operational money for things like clothes, rifles etc., plus another $10,000 of RPA funds for office supplies etc.

"Actually, the rifles are usually in addition to the rest of the operation," he said. "We add 30 or 40 demilitarized 1902 rifles for training purposes. We need somewhere at the school to store and secure them."

Campbell said the school will be required to carry a bond for the three computer systems Cadet Command furnishes, the rifles and other supplies. As the program flourishes, more instructors will be added as the number of participants grows throughout the years. He said between 50 and 151 participants means two instructors, and above that uses three.

Bobby Smithson, superintendent, asked, "If we vote to do this, do you really think you can get 50 right off?"

"Yes I do," Campbell said. "It won't be all freshmen. There will be level beginners throughout the high school, but the program will grow if you give it a chance."

Smithson told Campbell the Board would discuss it and get back to him with a decision as soon as possible.

"I am personally in favor of this program for our kids because of the motivational factor," Smithson said. "I believe it would get them involved in something that would be good for them. Lack of motivation among students is our biggest problem among the students of today."

Smithson said there are 270 students in the high school who could participate in JROTC. Campbell said JROTC is currently counted as an elective credit, but in schools in Kentucky it is a history elective. Other places count it for physical education.

According to Campbell, a very small percentage from JROTC go active duty in the military but added pay is available for those who do. Most JROTC students opt for higher education, which the background helps them pursue.