Albert Gallatin students enjoy discipline of ROTC
There’s a spirit that permeates the Junior ROTC at Albert Gallatin Senior High School – one of responsibility, duty and pride. “I love it. It’s probably the best decision I made in my high school career,’ said Lt. Col. Sherelle King, 18, of Fairchance, who has been in the program for four years and is now commander of the Colonial Battalion.
Maj. Angelica Carr, 16, of Point Marion, who serves as executive officer in her third year, said, “It teaches you discipline. It’s fun. … It’s not like any other class.’
Sgt. Maj. Brian Smitley, 18, of Uniontown, who’s been involved for three years, said, “It’s always a good program. It’s a challenge.’
JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) came to Albert Gallatin in August 2003, led by Col. Ulysses Winn, senior Army instructor, who is retired from 34 years in active and Army Reserves duty. He is contracted between the U.S. Army Cadet Command and the school district.
“We’re the newest and largest Army Junior ROTC program in western Pennsylvania,’ Winn said. “We have support from administration, teachers and veterans. So many veterans take us under their wings – it’s great. We really enjoy the community support.’
JROTC is offered to students from ninth to 12th grade as an elective. The program started with 85 students, known as cadets, and has grown to about 150. This is the first year that students who started in the ninth grade have gone all four years.
“Our mission is to encourage young folks to become better citizens,’ Winn said. “We do not recruit for the service,’ he said.
There are several cadets who join the service each year, however. Currently, Winn said, Matthew Angel and Leah Epps are headed to the Marines, Jody Guthrie, Thomas Beck and David Swaney to the Army, John Paul Marshall to the National Guard and Justin Lease, Josh Rhodes and Christopher Anderson to the Army Reserves.
“Usually, when they go, they’re ahead,’ said Winn. “If they’re in the program three years, I’ll write a letter of recommendation.’
King is among students planning to enter the service eventually.
“I’ll probably join the Navy or Army my sophomore year of college,” King said. “I want to be a doctor and get my pilot’s license.’
Capt. Leah Epps, 17, of Palmer, who is in charge of equipment for the battalion, said, “I never thought I’d do it, but I joined the Marines. I leave this summer for basic. I have an advantage over people going in who don’t know about the service and how to follow directions. I like the discipline. It’s real good. I think it was a good choice for me to join.’
Winn is assisted in teaching the students by Sgt. 1st Class Barbara Harmon of Haydentown, who spent 22 years in the Army Reserves – 12 as an instructor – and worked 13 years for the Albert Gallatin School District, resigning her job as a main office secretary in August to take her current position as Army instructor. Harmon was a member of the JROTC’s boosters before becoming an instructor.
Harmon said, “This is a wonderful program for students. Some don’t have anything positive in their lives and this is a great motivator even if they don’t join the service. Our goal is to improve citizenship. We teach all subjects – phys ed, health, reading, social studies – everything is molded into our program.’
She talked of seeing changes in the students.
“It helps with their self-confidence,” she said “The kids who are shy and backward in the first grading period are more outgoing.’
Winn also enjoys working with the students.
“I’m from the Pittsburgh area and I drive here daily because I love it and care about the kids. It’s pure pleasure to work with these kids. They’re fantastic,’ he said.
Likewise, the students enjoy Harmon and Winn.
Speaking of Harmon, Carr said, “One word: perfection. Everything has to be perfect and done right. But she’s nice. She teaches us a lot of different things.’
Capt. Brett Dains, 17, of McClellandtown, who is in charge of the training schedule, said, “She wants things done the right way the first time and wants them done on time. But she’s not always serious. She’ll take things seriously if they’re serious and take a joke if it’s a joke.
King said Winn convinced her to join JROTC.
King said, “He’s like a father figure. Even though he yells and says, ‘I love my job,’ he only yells because he knows I can do it and gives that extra push.’
Carr said of Winn: “He’s a good guy. He pushes us to do better and if we do something wrong, he’ll let us know about it.’
Dains said, “He’s really nice, really fair. Strict but in a good way.’
The Colonial Battalion, explained Winn, is divided into two companies: Alpha and Bravo. Each company is divided into two platoons, with four squads making up each platoon. The cadets hold rank and run the company with promotions being earned. For example, King, who runs the battalion, worked her way up the ranks and noted, “I had to do my share of work taking orders.’
And for those who think she’s getting off lightly this year, King noted, “I’m taking orders from Col. Winn. If they’re not done properly, they don’t get in trouble. I get in trouble.’
Dains explained the daily routine: Mondays through Wednesdays, the cadets learn from books. On Thursdays, they practice drilling, ceremony and wear uniforms. On Fridays, they practice physical fitness.
Winn said, “Our curriculum varies. It’s a heavy concentration on citizenship. We learn about the flag and the significance of it. We learn courtesy. One of the things we stress is discipline. They’re expected to go into classes representing Junior ROTC. If not, I have to talk to them about their behavior. People don’t see them as a class. They see them as our program and they represent us.’
In addition, cadets stay after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays for special teams that include the drill team, which is regulation marching and drills; exhibition drill, which is precision drilling that allows students to be creative coming up with commands; Raider Team, which involves activities performed in the field such as first aid, one-rope bridge and land navigation; and color guard. There’s also a volleyball team and Knowledge Bowl in which cadets are quizzed on curriculum. In fact, the cadets proudly talk about awards these teams have won in competition, including recently winning grand champion at Martins Ferry, Ohio.
There also are special training days that include physical fitness tests and drilling that prepares cadets for inspections. The annual formal inspection is scheduled for May 24, when members of brigade headquarters visit.
The battalion holds an annual military ball, where the young men wear their dress uniforms and the young women wear gowns. Veterans also attend. This year’s ball takes place on April 28 at the Lakeside Party Center in German Township and awards will be presented, including those for top male and female cadets. Those students will each receive a saber donated by Joe T. Joseph of American Legion Post 51 in Uniontown.
The Colonial Battalion also believes in community service.
King said, “We do parades, did tutoring at Smithfield Elementary and reading at D. Ferd Swaney Elementary (in Georges Township).’
In fact, the cadets find themselves being role models for these young students – a part that can be difficult to play.
“You have to watch everything at all times because somebody’s watching,’ King said. “But it’s nice to know you can make a difference in somebody’s life. All the teachers know ROTC students. If somebody does something, Col. Winn knows about it. I guess it’s pretty cool. It will help everybody in the future with leadership and discipline – not only to give orders but also to be able to follow them. You’re not always in charge. We work together as a team.’
It’s a team that’s come together for different reasons but has stayed together because they enjoy being part of something bigger than themselves.
They include Harmon’s son, Capt. Andrew Harmon, 16, a junior who as administrative assistant, keeps track of the cadets.
He said, “My mom wanted me to and I knew it would be fun. And in ninth grade, I wasn’t fit. … It’s helped.’
Capt. Larissa Matzus, 16, of Hibbs, who deals with public affairs and is in her second year, also noted, “My mom really wanted me to join. After I got into it, I enjoyed it. I love how it gives you opportunities for the future and everyone has to learn responsibility and leadership.’
Dains joined Junior ROTC because his friends were in it and stayed because he likes the program.
“It’s a fun environment with different skills you can learn, like how to do a budget,” Dains said. “It teaches you life values.’
Capt. Krysten Guthrie, 16, of Masontown, who is in charge of supply and logistics, said, “I joined because my uncle is in the military and I’m interested in it. I’ve been in for three years. We learn different things – first aid, leadership – fun stuff.’
Command Sgt. Major Francy Zentkovich, 16, of Shoaf, whose job is to make certain all enlisted are doing their jobs, commented, “I joined because I don’t like when people say girls aren’t as good as guys. I want to be strong. I love it.’
Capt. Kris Eicher, 16, of Fairchance, who is working on the JROTC Web site, said, “My whole family is in the military. I saw the uniforms and in the eighth grade I said I was going to join the class.’
Like others, Eicher is proud of the Colonial Battalion.
“I like it because of the discipline, the duty and the honor of being a cadet,’ said Eicher.