Central introduces AF JROTC program

Photo by: Nate Holtzinger

Senior Ben Marino knew he wanted to be part of the new AF JROTC program as soon as he found out it would be offered at the high school for the first time this year. JROTC stands for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, and the JROTC program running at Central is specifically for the Air Force. This is Central’s first year running this program, and according to Chief Frederick Sandacz, one of the JROTC teachers, it was added to the course list because Principal Ryan Caufman thought it would be a good addition to the school. The goal of the program is to teach students character, education, student-achievement, wellness, leadership and diversity. According to junior Semajanae Jackson, JROTC isn’t just about citizenship, leadership, character and community service; it is a dream. Jackson said its something she watched her uncles and aunts go through while growing up, adding that they would always tell her stories about it. “They made me want to do it and become better than them,” Jackson said. “Part of me wants to be a pilot, so I knew doing [JROTC] would give me an option to get some insight on what it would be like being in the Air Force,” said Marino. “I like that it’s a student-run class. We plan the activities and the curriculum,” he said. “And it’s not just a class where you sit and watch, it’s a hands-on class where you drill and march and meet Air Force officers.” “I truly think this class will benefit me in the future, mainly because I plan to join the service and it can help me in every aspect of that,” Marino said. “But even if I wasn’t planning on going into the military, it can open up your mind and give you an understanding of things you might not of known if you didn’t taken the course.” He even said he likes wearing the uniform: “To me, it goes a little deeper than just a blue shirt and pants. It represents that I’m part of something, something I can be proud of,” Marino said. Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Sprenkle is the senior aerospace science instructor who works with Chief Sandacz, teaching JROTC students leadership and character. Lt. Col. Sprenkle said he likes working with high schoolers and he was looking for a JROTC instructor position, which is what led him to becoming a JROTC instructor at Central. Lt. Col. Sprenkle retired on July 31, 2016 from the Air Force and before that, he was working in the Pentagon (the headquarters for the United States’ Department of Defense) on the air staff. Lt. Col. Sprenkle is an Air Force navigator by trade, flying on the RC 135 aircraft. How does he feel knowing he is helping to shape his students? “I’m excited about it. I can’t think of a better job,” said Lt. Col. Sprenkle. “I get to serve my country, serve my community and wear the colors of my country.” AF JROTC is a cadet-corps-run program, Chief Sandacz said, meaning that the students run the program. “They decide what they want to do, trips they want to take and how they want the course to be run,” said Chief Sandacz. In all the classes combined, there are 88 students. In each class, there is a group commander and a vice group commander, who each have a staff and two instructors to assist them. Chief Sandacz said he is honored knowing he is helping his students learn what he learned over his past 33 years in the Air Force. Chief Sandacz said he always wanted to share positive things with people and to have people dream big. “People dream little dreams, but you have to dream really big dreams,” Chief Sandacz said. So he thought if he could become an instructor, he could help more kids reach their goals by helping and caring for them. Marino said even if you’re not considering going into the military this class teaches them leadership and knowledge for other cladsses, he said. “Now I know for sure what I want to do after high school,” Marino said, adding that he will make sure that wherever he goes next year offers AF JROTC to its students. He hopes to study aviation and to someday become an officer. “AF JROTC is a great elective to take because it’s fun, it builds on leadership and on aerospace,” Chief Sandacz said.

#featured #living