Glimpse Into The Armed Forces Junior Rotc At Rogers High School Introduces Students To Career Opportunities In The Military

Lee McIntyre starts each day by calling his class to attention and leading them in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Rogers High School sophomore also has the responsibility of taking out the flags to be raised, collecting homework and occasionally teaching the class lessons from the drill and ceremonies book.

McIntyre is a student, but he was chosen by his peers to serve as flight commander of the Alpha Flight, a first-period class of the Air Force Junior ROTC at Rogers. The new course offering, which will open be to students throughout the Spokane School District next year, is something McIntyre said he looks forward to every day.

“It’s more organized, and there’s more discipline here,” he said. “People respect each other more here than in other classes.”

Air Force Junior ROTC classes are held six times a day at Rogers in a converted metal shop. Four banners hang at the front of the room, ordering: “Respect. Wear the uniform. Cooperation. Attendance.”

The course is currently filled by 116 cadets, 38 of whom are girls. Many, like McIntyre, are drawn to Junior ROTC as a way to get a jump-start on their career. If students stay with the program for three years, they can get financial credit when they graduate and join the armed forces.

“It’s worth money to get training with us,” said Maj. Charles Phill, one of two course instructors. Because they are already familiar with military bearing, marching and saluting, students can get an earlier increase in salary.

But Junior ROTC is not just for those planning a military career.

“It’s for anyone who wants to try something different,” Phill said. “And for those who might be missing something in their life - like discipline and organization. We’re like a positive gang. We dress the same, have our own colors, signs and language.”

Freshman Mandy Martin said she’s unsure whether she’d like to enter the Air Force, so she joined Junior ROTC to find out what it’s all about.

“A lot of my friends were doing it, and I thought it would help me learn how the Air Force works,” Martin said.

Phill teaches history and respect of the U.S. flag, history of the airplane, the science of flight, how weather affects flying and space travel. He came to Spokane from Pasadena, Calif., where he taught Junior ROTC for 13 years and still loves his job.

“You start with a kid in ninth grade with no confidence and zits, and you teach him how to stand up straight and salute, how to get people to follow him and for him to follow himself,” he said. “You grow up with them. People find a home in ROTC. They’re promoted together; they go through good and bad times together.”

Phill team-teaches with Master Sgt. William Patton, who handles instruction on leadership, management of people and resources, and drill and ceremonies.

“Our aim is to teach citizenship, goal setting and life skills, so no matter what they go on to do, the students will have the discipline they need to get the job done and be accountable for their actions,” Patton said.

Discipline is a big part of the Junior ROTC curriculum. Cadets are taught to respond with “Yes, sir” and `No, sir” and must have the proper respect for their uniform. All pins and patches must be positioned precisely. Even when it’s not being worn, the uniform has to be hung properly.

Because of that, Rogers’ Junior ROTC is a presence others can’t help but notice.

“When other kids see us in uniform, they think we’re goofy,” McIntyre said. “But when you talk to them alone, they say they think it’s a pretty cool program. The people I’ve talked to say they wish they had signed up this year.”

When they do, they’ll experience a class much different to what they’re used to.

“Discipline, respect for your elders - that’s something they don’t teach in other classes,” said sophomore Jamie Almquist, who’s planning a career in the military.

In addition to their regular studies, students also take many field trips, like visiting Fairchild Air Force Base to glimpse what it’s like to live in a military environment, and touring Seattle’s Museum of Flight.

The class also has a community service component. In Pasadena, Phill took his cadets on nursing home visits, and he hopes to start something similar here.

“We just have to figure out what’s needed,” he said.

He’d also like the community to call on the color guard to perform at store openings, or whenever a “little special touch” is needed, he said.

“We want the community to know it can depend on Rogers’ Junior ROTC.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: INFO

For more information about the Air Force Junior ROTC, contact Maj. Charles Phill at Rogers High School at 354-6600.