Army Brig. Gen. Jeff Farnsworth took a minute to recognize some folks who may have his job one day. Farnsworth visited Carroll High School on Thursday to recognize students who recently served as a color guard at an Association of the United States Army event.
Farnsworth recognized five Carroll High JROTC students and made a few brief remarks Friday. Farnsworth said the students did an exemplary job of representing their school at the event.
“Their uniforms were very sharp, they executed flawlessly, they carried themselves and represented their school with honor,” Farnsworth said. “I wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t.”
Students recognized by Farnsworth include: Curtis Hill, Shawn Davis, Anthony Tyson, Darla Hunt and Calyn Harper. The students received a certificate documenting their recognition by Farnsworth.
First Sgt. Anthony Hill, Carroll High JROTC coordinator, said having Farnsworth recognize his students was a big deal for his program.
“I’m ecstatic,” he said. “It’s outstanding.”
About 120 students participate in Carroll High’s JROTC program. About a quarter of them go on to pursue careers in the military.
Hill said that rate is actually high for area JROTC programs. Hill said JROTC is primarily a leadership and citizenship program and can benefit students with a variety of career interests, not just those who plan to pursue a military career.
Nick Flores is a Carroll High JROTC student.
“It’s just a great leadership program,” he said. “You learn how to speak, how to multitask and how to solve problems.”
Nationwide, there are about 300,000 students participating in high school JROTC programs. There are 1,716 programs in schools throughout the country. The Air Force, Navy and Marines all also have programs. Paul Haverstick, a spokesperson for Army Cadet Command, said less than 30 percent of high school JROTC students go on to have military careers. That percentage is higher in college ROTC programs.
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Posted in the Dothan Eagle – September 25, 2014
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