May 25, 2007 By Josh Krysak 4 min read

“How many ribbons are on your uniform?” “What does the color blue in the American flag represent?”

“How many types of leadership styles are there?”

Cadet Maj. Angelica Carr, a junior at Albert Gallatin Area Senior High School, responds to the questions in rapid succession, her accurate answers cut off by the next question demanded from Col. Michael T. Anderson, chief of the 2nd Brigade of the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) at Fort Dix, N.J.

After more than two-dozen questions and two-dozen correct answers, Anderson halts his inspection and turns to another cadet, carrying a clipboard by his side.

“Put a star next to her name. Great job cadet major,” Anderson says, cracking the slightest smile, as he pivots 90 degrees toward the next cadet awaiting inspection at the first-ever formal inspection of the Army JROTC held Thursday at the A.G. high school.

After Anderson moves on, Carr, still unflinching, standing at attention, allows herself a slight smile, too.

The Army JROTC program, now in its fourth year at the school, has grown in popularity among students and staff in the district and now boasts an enrollment rate of more than 10 percent of the school’s total enrollment.

Carr, who joined the program as a freshman, said when she signed up for the Army JROTC, she had not envisioned a career in the military. But three years later, she said the work in the battalion has inspired her to pursue a career in the armed forces.

“I do plan to have a career in the military,” Carr said, after the grilling by Anderson was completed. “The JROTC made me want to. But this is something that is open to any student and it will help anyone moving on from high school into the world. It is a stepping stone.”

Carr, who said she was initially “a very shy person,” said the training in the group has helped her realize her potential and the potential of the students around her.

“This program can help carve a path for your future,” the second highest rank student in the battalion said. “It teaches you leadership. It is something that most high school kids are not doing, but it is something that I recommend for all students.”

Carr said the inspection Thursday was the first formal inspection held at the school and said that students have been preparing for the event since last year when they conducted a mock inspection.

According to Col. Ulysses R. Winn, the senior army instructor who leads the A.G. battalion, the JROTC has grown by 50 percent in four years at the school, and he expects the number of cadets enrolled to continue to increase in future years.

“We teach them everything from how to run a drill ceremony to land navigation to leadership skills, and everything is run by the cadets,” Winn said, as he watched the inspectors move through the ranks of his Colonial Battalion. “I am just here to observe, supervise and step in only when necessary.”

He said the program, which is open to all students, is an excellent system to help teenagers advance from children to adults.

“The program teaches respect and purpose and direction,” Winn said. “It helps take away the fear that some kids have. The JROTC students are focused on becoming better citizens and with the support of the parents, the school and the community, this ideal situation for them has been created.”

Anderson, along with Master Sgt. Harvey L. White and Sgt. 1st Class Ronnie D. Pena, both from Fort Dix, inspected the Army JROTC cadets. Following the individual examinations, the entire battalion of 123 cadets was also inspected as they performed various drills.

Additionally, more than a dozen local veterans representing several area communities, including Uniontown, Point Marion, Latrobe and Mount Pleasant, and John Spisso, the civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army, attended the session.