JROTC Cadets Tell School Board Directors Why Program Should Stay

Cadet Staff Sgt. Brad Eckendahl’s young life turned around when he joined the Junior ROTC program at

“Before joining the JROTC I did not get a lot of respect from my peers. I just wasn’t treated the way I am now,” the second-year cadet told Pine-Richland School Board directors Monday night. “Now that I am in the program, I receive a lot more respect from my peers, family, even people I don’t even know.”

Past, present and future cadets, along with parents and a grandmother, encouraged the school board's academic achievement committee to retain the Junior ROTC program.

Its existence came into question when the Air Force sent a letter that said the school district could opt out of the program before its three-year contract with the Air Force expires.

Similar letters, citing budget constraints, were sent to hundreds of school districts across the country.

By the end of the evening, members of the school board's Academic Achievement Committee assured the cadets that they saw the value of the program, in which more than 40 students currently participate.

"There's too much good going on to cancel this program," school board Vice President Jeffrey Banyas said after hearing the speakers.

Committee Chair Therese Dawson said that ultimately it was up to the district's administration to put the issue before the school board.

Dawson emphasized that the district should do all it can to sustain the three-year contract between the district and the Air Force.

Cadets who spoke at the meeting told stories of how the program helps them realize their potential.

"Ever since I became a cadet I’ve had a lot more self-confidence," said Eckendahl. "I try to excel in everything I do."

Over and over, the cadets reiterated the Air Force's core values: “Integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do.”

Cadet Major Matt Whitford said he knew before joining JROTC that he wanted to be an officer in the Navy.

“Not only do we learn about (the core values) in the JROTC program; we’re able to live it every day whether through class or through the extracurricular opportunities we have through the class," said Whitford.

“The program ... has only strengthened my resolve to want to serve this country and to be a better citizen just by being around all the positive influences that this program offers.

“I feel a great amount of pride whenever I put this uniform on — pride in myself and pride in something that is greater than all of us," Whitfordsaid. "That’s where service before self comes in. This program has influenced my life. It’d be a shame to see it go.”

Cadet Fourth Class Nathaniel Bodnar, who graduated from Pine-Richland High School in 2011, is studying astronomy and physics at Youngstown State University.

“Before Junior ROTC, I was a very average student … I procrastinated a lot. My motivation for school work was just not there,” he said. 

“I found Junior ROTC and I was just a little bit curious because I’ve always been interested in the military. I was a little bit worried because I thought it had the whole military obligation connected to it. So I went in a little bit hesitant," said Bodnar.

“The Junior ROTC program is not meant to recruit people in the Air Force,” he continued, adding that it is meant to create well-rounded citizens.

But Bodnar said he felt the call to serve in the military. 

"Through the Junior ROTC program, I realized that I had the potential to be a leader and to be an officer in the Air Force," he said.

He now has a full scholarship to college and a guaranteed commission in the Air Force, he said. 

Eighth-grader Shaelyn Parry said she has a 4.0 grade point average and plans to join the Junior ROTC program.

"I have raised the bar of my expectations," she said.

Pine-Richland School District provides a customized education, Parry said, referring to the district's vision statement. Customization means providing choices and no clubs or organizations meet her needs the way the JROTC program does, she said.

"I believe people should set goals and go beyond them," Parry said. "Please give me this opportunity."