Heater: Have faith in our future veterans

Those kids have everything handed to them.

Or maybe not.

If you think today's kids aren't tough, or diligent, or hard-working, or disrespectful, perhaps you should spend some time with a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps like I did at Braden River High School.

The JROTC course is taught by Lieutenant Colonel Jay Bradin, Command Sergeant Major Matt Collis and Sergeant Major Alex Figueroa. These guys have big-time military experience and they ooze respect and discipline.

The respect part actually is a two-way street when it comes to their relationship with students. As the students learn what it takes to succeed in not only the military, but life, they learn that these teachers set a standard that they should aspire to reach. Honor and loyalty are just a few of the qualities that create success in the military, and in everyday life.

As the students learn some very valuable lessons, the teachers pass that respect right back to them.

"They do want discipline in their lives," said Bradin, who has taught the program for 10 years.

You could sense the pride that Bradin had in his students, who he didn't have to beg to join the program. While some of his current students said they thought the class was kind of silly initially, they warmed to its goals and its methods. The students wear uniforms on Wednesdays and they learn a creed that they could be called to recite on any day.

The creed (from the JROTC website):

I am an Army Junior ROTC Cadet.

I will always conduct myself to bring credit to my family, country, school and the Corps of Cadets.

I am loyal and patriotic.

I am the future of the United States of America.

I do not lie, cheat or steal and will always be accountable for my actions and deeds.

I will always practice good citizenship and patriotism.

I will work hard to improve my mind and strengthen my body.

I will seek the mantle of leadership and stand prepared to uphold the Constitution and the American way of life.

May God grant me the strength to always live by this creed.

OK, it's not the Gettysburg Address, but it takes a little doing. And when these students do things well, they are awarded with a ribbon for their uniform.

It's a method that has worked down through the years.

Bradin noted, "Napoleon said if he had enough ribbon he could conquer the world."

Braden River's JROTC program is so popular that a third instructor had to be added. Figueroa noted that although students might get a bit of razing when they first join JROTC, the program now represents about 10% of the school's population, so it's common to be sitting next to a JROTC member in class. And the popularity is growing.

Today, Veterans Day, Bradin's students have a tremendous respect for military personnel all over the world. "I tell them, 'When you go home on Christmas Break, there is somebody on duty 24/7 somewhere in the world," Bradin said. "The Marines are at war while America is at the mall."

Those in the JROTC class understand, possibly better than most.

"Some of our students, I am amazed at how well-versed they are," Bradin said.

They are well-versed because Bradin, Collis and Figueroa take them out of them comfort zone.

"They put us in leadership positions," said Christina Volpe, who took the class originally because she wouldn't have to take a P.E. or Fine Arts class. "I've learn so much from this class," she said. "You learn values like loyalty, duty and respect. If we do something wrong we have to do pushups. Then you have to say, 'THANK YOU FOR IMPROVING MY MIND AND BODY.' When I first started it was so crazy, everybody was yelling. But it has helped me."

From the JROTC website, it notes that the program serves as a character and leadership development program for the nation’s high school students. High school students enrolled in JROTC are called “Cadets.” There are approximately 314,000 Cadets enrolled in JROTC in 1,731 high schools, led by 4,000 retired Army Instructors.

The vision is "to provide a quality citizenship, character, and leadership development program, while fostering partnerships with communities and educational institutions."

The Braden River JROTC students talked about the respect they have for veterans and Veterans Day.

Braden River JROTC students talk about military veterans who have served their country

Tanner Thatcher, senior: "My grandpa (Vietnam veteran Dennis Thatcher) is one of my role models. I want to be like him and it's always been a part of me to want to join the military. These veterans are living heroes. They aren't like in the movies. They know what it means to give up everything  My grandpa wrote a book "Cut on Six Sides" and that really widened my eyes. "

Cobee Crawford, freshman: "When I see the older veterans who were in the really big wars, I am thinking 'How did they get through it?' I don't think about what is going on around the world all the time because that's a lot of stuff for a kid to think about."

Christina Volpe, junior: "My grandfather, Gerald Knippel, served in the Army. It makes me feel good how much (veterans) respect our country and that they would do anything to defend it. I want people to know what's happening in the world. 

Matthew Zickafoose, sophomore: "I respect veterans highly. I think of how they have served, put their life on the line for our safety. You could die, out away from your family. That's happening now while we are usually on our phones. We don't pay attention to their world."

Cheyenne Verhelle, sophomore: "I respect the people who have served. I feel respect when I see a veteran knowing they would lay down their life for their country. It's a lot to think about. It's hard to cope with what is going on overseas. I know it would be hard for me to see myself doing what they do. I have friends going in (the military). I think about them all the time."

Connor Buckley, junior: "Both my parents (Michael and Tina Buckley) served in the Army. I think of everyone who has served so I can have freedom.  My cousin, Jacob Grobb, is in the Army and it is crazy to hear him say what he had to do in Iraq."

Nick Radley, senior: "I'm enlisted in the Army and basic training begins June 14. I want to serve my country because freedom is not free. When I see a veteran, it makes me proud to see that they still are around. I want to think them. I am proud of all the veterans who have gone before me, and I am going to be proud of all the ones who come behind me."

Gloriany Reyes, freshman: "I think they have courage to do something to protect us. Veterans Day gets me thinking more about everything."