Marine Corps JROTC at Asabet Valley Tech Seeks Assistance

From The AV MC JROTC Auxiliary, Assabet Valley Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Auxiliary:

by Donna White, auxiliary mom of our newly promoted 2nd lieutenant daughter

Praise for Assabet Valley Marine Corps cadets

“I am proud and honored to serve as president of the AV MC JROTC Auxiliary. I can tell you from personal experience that having a junior in the program, who was one of the original handful of cadets, that this program is one of the most outstanding I have ever been associated with. The sense of pride, discipline, manners, courage, and professionalism exhibited by these young men and women is amazing!” said Jen Gadowski, the grandmother of Jennelle (Cadet/Master Sergeant Gadowski), and the president of the Auxiliary. (See information below for additional testimonials from cadets and parents.)

One Hundred and Twenty-two Cadets

The Marine Corps JROTC program at Assabet Valley Technical High School has been up and fully running for almost two years and has 122 cadets—both male and female. They have won national recognition in competitions, won the gold medal in drones and a silver medal in cyber, achieved the highest award in academics, carefully planned and built an obstacle course and then hosted a very successful competition utilizing it, organized two 5K road races, and performed countless acts of community service. (See below for a list of cadets’ community activities.)

The cadets in this JROTC are not your typical teenagers!

The challenge with this high-achieving, well-respected unit of future leaders is that CWO3 Randolph P. Mann, US Marine Corps, (Retired), is the only military instructor training all the cadets. He is an exceptional leader for these teenage cadets. He has single-handedly created a vibrant program to address the physical, intellectual, and emotional needs of these young-adult future leaders.

The success of the JROTC is based on CWO3 Mann’s vision. He explained, “I am extremely honored to have been chosen to be the first SMI and to facilitate the start of a MC JROTC at Assabet Valley RTHS. I used to be concerned about the future, but now having worked hand-in-hand with the next generation of leaders, I see their energy, drive, and creativity that can take this world far beyond my generation. With this program, they will be even more prepared to carry the torch because of the opportunities and experiences the program provides them.”

CWO3 Mann inspires his cadets – male and female – to consistently learn, understand, and incorporate into their lives the high standards of the Marine Corps in their appearance, their uniform, their academic achievement, athletic performance, their teamwork, conduct in and out of uniform, punctuality, community service, communication skills, respect, and esprit de corps.

We Need Your Help

In truth we are in urgent need of a second instructor for these 122 cadets in order for this exemplary program to continue. To do this, we Auxiliary members are committed to raising $100,000 to cover the salary, benefits, and insurance for a second instructor’s position. Our deadline for this one-time appeal is July 1, 2016. Clearly we need your help.

The school system cannot provide the funding for the position due to budgetary constraints. The Marine Corps is not authorized to fund a second instructor because of the unit’s classification as a National Defense Cadet Corps (NDCC).

To continue to inspire, train, mentor, challenge, and guide these cadets, the Auxiliary is asking for financial support from community leaders, the community at large, corporate sponsorship, support from veterans organization, veteran-owned businesses, and donations from anyone who values the integrity, courage, honor, pride, respect, and tradition of the Marine Corps.

The AVMCJROTC Auxiliary, which is made up of parents, volunteers, and alumni, is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Your donations are tax-deductible. We accept pledges as well as checks and grants.

Please open your hearts and your minds to help us meet our goal. Please share your resources, your networking groups, etc. with us so that we can fundraise efficiently and effectively. Let’s put our faith into this program, these cadets, and their future. Semper fidelis!

For more information, to volunteer, or to make a monetary donation in support of this Marine Corps JROTC unit, please contact AVMCJROTCAUXILIARY@gmail.com or check out our website here.

Please make checks payable to “Assabet Valley MC JROTC Auxiliary” and send to:

Jen Gadowski

12005 Avalon Drive

Northborough, MA 01532

(508) 410-0775

E-mail: avmcjrotcauxiliary@gmail.com

We will be happy to furnish a copy of our IRS designation letter. Thank you in advance for your support.

AV MC JROTC Testimonials

C/Capt. M.J. Manganaro, views her MCJROTC program as a family with a common goal. “The diversity among the unit greatly impacts the success of the program overall. Having 120 students from different communities and backgrounds also brings fresh ideas and perspectives. Despite these differences, every cadet is part of the same family. Each individual is constantly striving for knowledge and improvement to ultimately unlock his or her leadership abilities.”

Proud mother of a cadet, Colleen Laurence writes, “This is my daughter’s second year in the program. She has thrived personally and matured mentally and physically in this program. Having personally spent time with the cadets, I cannot begin to express how impressed I have been with all of these young adults. The level of respect and maturity exceeds that of any other group of high schoolers that I have encountered. This program is an asset to Assabet Valley Technical High School.”

Proud mother of a United States Marine, Rebecca Mealey writes, “I saw a noticeable difference in my daughter when she joined the JROTC. She began to feel like she belonged somewhere, and the others felt the same as she did. The program's leader, Senior Military Instructor Gunner Mann, promoted my daughter to Cadet Captain early on in the school year. She was shocked someone would put her in a position of command, that someone saw good qualities she didn't see before. Over the course of the school year, she found the position was fulfilling but also difficult; she often thought twice before speaking, acting, or making a decision, as she knew her next step could affect others and the direction of the program. I firmly believe it is because of this program that my daughter chose to serve her country and join the USMC.”

Proud mother of a 2nd Lieutenant, Donna White writes, “Our daughter has been a cadet in the AV MC JROTC since its inception at Assabet Valley. I am surprised and delighted that she was drawn to this extraordinary program. I can see the transformation she has made into a disciplined, motivated, focused, and mature leader. She absolutely loves every aspect of the JROTC program, including marksmanship, the obstacle course, the 5K race fundraiser, award ceremonies, inspections, and the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. The heart and soul of this program is Senior Military Instructor (SMI) R. Mann, a dynamic, professional, energetic, dedicated, and inspiring leader for these young adults. I am so grateful that our daughter had this experience at Assabet and extremely grateful that her SMI is such a gifted teacher and role model.

C/2nd Lieutenant G. White writes, “If I were not a senior, I would do JROTC for another year. It taught me to be responsible, disciplined, and neat.”

Cadets’ Community Activities

Stop Hunger Now, Bolton

Cemetery Rehab, Marlborough

Snow Removal Senior Living, Marlborough

Veterans Inc Meal Serving, Worcester

Veterans, Inc. Facility Maintenance, Worcester

Thanksgiving and Christmas Meal Deliveries, All surrounding communities

Holiday Food Basket

Boy Scout Mentorship, Hudson and West Boylston

Trisha’s 5K Run, Marlborough

Shrewsbury Veterans 5K

Cemetery Honors for Veterans, Marlborough

Fishing with Veterans, Marlborough and Hudson

Boston Bruins and West Point Alumni Hockey Game, New England Sports Complex

Grafton Little League

Marlborough Little League

Festival of Trees, Marlborough

First Robotics Kick-Off, Central Massachusetts

Apple Festival, Northborough

Pumpkin Festival, Hudson

Toys for Tots, Hudson, West Boylston, Worcester

Academy Night, Danvers

Boston Marine Corps Luncheon

Rock Climbing, Worcester

West Boylston Rail Trail

Mt. Wachusett

Marine Corps Ball, Assabet Valley RTHS

Retirement Ceremony, Marlborough

New York City Leadership Trip

Hopkinton YMCA

Family Day, Charlton

Labor Day Parade, Marlborough

9/11 Memorial, Natick

Apple Festival Parade, Northborough

Heritage Day Parade, Southborough

Meal Serving (2), Worcester

Zombie 5K, Marlborough and Hudson

Veterans Day Parade, Marlborough

Christmas Parade, Maynard