Curricula and Learning Links - Junior ROTC
Military-Based Youth Programs Build Leadership Skills
by Martha Robinson
The article below was published in the FPEA Almanac in 2006. The FPEA is the Florida Parent Educators Association.
Looking for a different activity this fall? Would combining physical fitness, science and history studies, unusual activities, and fun into one meeting be helpful in your homeschool? The U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps, Young Marines, or Civil Air Patrol Cadets programs may be just right for your family.
While having the look of military organizations, these programs do not necessarily lead to enlistment in the armed services. Rather, they seek to build well-rounded leaders who will become good American citizens. Physical fitness is improved over time with plenty of exercise, and self-discipline, confidence and self-esteem are encouraged through the study and practice of military customs and courtesies and close-order drill. Advancement opportunities abound as children advance through the rank structure and earn ribbons for particular skills. Youth also learn the value of giving, as community service is an important component of the programs.
Sea Cadets, open to 13- to 17-year-old boys and girls, builds pride, patriotism and courage while providing an introduction to all things nautical. Swimming, sailing and scuba are some of the expected activities, but teens can explore many more areas such as photography, music, aviation, firefighting, engineering, law enforcement, culinary arts, and foreign exchange opportunities during summer training programs. Sea Cadets have the opportunity to taste the challenge of highly strenuous programs while working with elite military groups like the Navy SEALs. Sea Cadets truly offers amazing opportunities to teens, who must be physically qualified to participate. U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps is sponsored by the U.S. Navy.
Young Marines encourages 8- to 18-year-old boys and girls to grow in confidence and skill through outdoor activities like camping, orienteering, rappelling, marksmanship and archery. During training sessions, they build their knowledge of U.S. history and government, nature conservation, and locally selected topics. Teamwork and leadership are fostered through mentoring of younger group members. Veterans appreciation days and extensive community-service activities allow participants to reach out and feel a part of their town. Young Marines may attend regional and national encampments as well as summer programs such as historical re-enactments and flight-simulator training. Boys and girls are carefully supervised in all activities to ensure appropriate and respectful behavior toward each other. Young Marines is sponsored by the Marine Corps League, a civilian association of active duty, retired, and former U.S. Marines.
Civil Air Patrol Cadets allows 12 to 18 year olds to learn the principles of aviation, aerospace flight, rocketry, and physics through hands-on experiments. Activities at national encampments include emergency services, engineering, technology, physical fitness, team building, and flight training. Civil Air Patrol Cadets is sponsored by the Civil Air Patrol, a civilian organization that is the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary.
Students develop pride in their appearance by wearing the required uniforms, and parents will be thrilled to see their children learning how to iron clothes and polish shoes! Shorter haircuts for boys and hair in buns for girls complete the clean-cut look of participants.
These programs were particularly appealing to our family for several reasons. As a widow, I was looking for more positive adult role-models for my children. My dad is a retired Army officer, so I was familiar with how close order drill, high standards, and discipline can make anyone into a better leader and more confident person. The fact that all four of my children could participate in one program fit right into our homeschooling mentality -- family togetherness while learning!
My oldest son, 15, spent nine days at Jacksonville's Naval Air Station this summer with the Sea Cadets program, taking apart jet engines, flying on Navy aircraft, and doing flight simulator work. Aviation is his passion, but the wide variety of options with Sea Cadets is allowing him to try different vocational areas without any more than the two week commitment of the training. His physical fitness level has soared since he has been in the program. Being musical, he is looking forward to attending the Sea Cadets' music training with the U.S. Navy band.
All four of my children are in Young Marines, and what a great time we are having! The program has encouraged them to be more proactive in getting their schoolwork done, cleaning their rooms, and helping around the house. They love marching, participating in patriotic events, camping, and doing the wide variety of other activities. It is hard work, especially for my younger daughter (8), but the gains I have seen in motivation, enthusiasm, and physical fitness bring a big smile to my face. The children are anxious for our Young Marines marching band to start soon!
Future benefits of all three programs include college scholarships and the development of personal characteristics beneficial for job and college applications: leadership, responsibility, commitment and community service.
If you think these groups would be a possibility for your family, you should visit ALL the units within an hour's drive to find the one that is the best "fit" for your family. Even though units have the same national guidelines, local commanders have leeway in setting discipline level, schedules, and topics, and it may turn out that the one that looked best on paper is not the top choice in person. Many programs meet only twice per month, so the commute is not too demanding if you end up feeling comfortable with a distant group.
To find a local unit or for more information, visit www.seacadets.org or call (703) 243-6910 (Sea Cadets), visit www.youngmarines.com or call 1-800-717-0060 (Young Marines), or visit http://level2.cap.gov/index.cfm?nodeID=5177 (Civil Air Patrol.)
