Cadet leaders of the 2011-2012 Naval JROTC at Lehman High School line up to instruct incoming freshman recruits at a summer orientation last week. In its fourth year, the program anticipates 125 student cadet members. (Photo by Jim Cullen)
by JIM CULLEN
It’s a hot, sweaty July morning and freshman recruits for the Lehman High School Naval Junior ROTC unit are trying hard to ignore the heat and concentrate on the commands being barked at them by their student cadet leaders. “Atten-SHUN! Present ARMS! Left face!...Right face!...Right face!” are thrown at them and most, if at first a little hesitantly, do respond correctly.
It’s a learning situation and at first a cadre of experienced cadets takes pains to correct small flaws in the position, posture, and moves. Ultimately, the lesson turns into a game of an upbeat tempo of briskly-given commands and those who incorrectly flinch or turn are pulled from the ranks until a single winner stands alone – and accepts the laughing congratulations of his new peers.
Roughly two dozen incoming freshmen took part in the summer orientation, some with their parents on hand to follow the relay of information and first-step training. It’s a learning situation, alright – and, amazingly, it’s ushering in the fourth year of Lehman High School’s Naval JROTC program. Hundreds of cadets have undergone the training under Lieutenant Commander John Berry and Master Chief Petty Officer David Farrar. Predictably, hundreds more will follow.
The program Berry and Farrar have put together is in some ways like its longer-established Hays High School counterpart, the Marine Corps Junior ROTC unit under Major David Hamil and Gunnery Sergeant Frederic Magare. Both units provide sharp focus on issues of character, leadership and citizenship, but, as with their respective high schools, both exhibit their own unique characteristics and activities. The summer orientation training at Lehman provides a start point to review the first few years of the Lobo NJROTC and look to its immediate future. We’ll use a subsequent issue to examine the Hays MCJROTC legacy and its future.
Having been with the Lobo NJROTC since its inception, Master Chief Farrar easily responds to questions about the program, starting with what he and Berry see as its most significant markers – each year’s enrollment. The Lobo program opened in the fall of 2008 with 94 student cadets and has grown at roughly a 10 percent rate each year since, anticipating 125 in uniform this year.
As for significant accomplishments, Farrar says the fact that cadets “do what they do better and better” speaks volumes. “Our drill teams do better at competitions, requests for Lehman NJROTC Color Guards are at peak demand, our marksmanship program is ‘hitting the mark’ (one of our cadets took 2nd at a major competition last year), and our military ball has grown to the point where it’s a major social event of the year for the cadets.”
Likely the unit’s top goal this year is to be recognized as a “Distinguished Unit”, setting it apart from the other roughly 60 Texas high school units. “The cadets are highly motivated and super dedicated toward achieving this award,” Farrar says. As noted, there’s a focus on helping cadets excel in leadership skills and become better citizens. Annual activities include community service through programs such as Adopt a Highway, Habitat for Humanity, and service in park and river clean-ups.
Administrators see the positive results. Lobo Principal Don Ruisinger has been quoted as saying he wished his entire school could run like an NJROTC unit. Assistant Principal Marty Martinez says that he’s noticed “the longer students are in ROTC, the more their self-confidence grows, along with the respect they gain from their peers and teachers alike.”
Proudly crediting school, district, and community support as “outstanding”, Farrar says that he and Berry have the mission of “outgrowing” their current facilities. Toward that end, what’s the new school year bringing? “We’ll be attending as many drill competitions as possible, adding to our community service, visiting a military base and the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, enjoying an Army-Navy game party, and the annual military ball and unit picnic,” Farrar says with eager anticipation.
About 125 naval cadets, no doubt, look to the start of school with that same degree of eagerness.
