ROTC class gives teen-agers
look at career opportunities

JACKSON — While many students at Jackson Memorial High School are studying for exams, some lucky teens get the chance to fly in a military jet and see how a plane is refueled in mid-air.

These students are members of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program, a military-based class offered to Jackson students as an elective. Students in the program are required to follow a number of military procedures, including preparing for official inspections and wearing their uniforms to school at least once a week.

According to Petra Leone, president of the parents group, the ROTC program is a great way for students to discover if they would like to pursue a career in the armed services. "It is a wonderful program for students," Leone said. "It teaches them leadership qualities and how to be a real team player."

According to Leone, the ROTC program in Jackson has been ranked as the top unit in the state, a distinction she attributes to the leaders of the program, Sgt. Charles Lattimer and Maj. Mike Macanone.

"Sgt. Lattimer was voted Teacher of the Year, and we were lucky enough to be able to recruit Maj. Macanone from Rutgers University," Leone said.

Besides learning about different aspects of the armed services, many ROTC students reap additional benefits, she said.

"Many ROTC students are awarded huge scholarships," Leone said, mentioning two students who were awarded college scholarships in the amount of $90,000 and up.

In fact, one graduate of the Jackson ROTC program received a scholarship and is now attending the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Va.

"The ROTC program at the high school is a great alternative for kids who may not be that athletic or who have not yet found their niche in any other clubs or organizations," said Leone.

In addition to earning college scholarships, members of the ROTC program may receive special bonuses when pursuing a career in the armed forces.

"Many branches of the armed services allow ROTC graduates to enter at a higher rank because they have already had some type of training," Leone said.

The ROTC parents organization was created after Leone came to believe there were misconceptions about the program.

"We wanted to make sure the parents were involved and knew what their children were involved in," she said. "Because the membership for the group ranges from high school freshmen to seniors, some parents were concerned that some of the older kids had overstepped their bounds and were picking on the younger students. By forming the parents group, we are now able to become more involved and know about every aspect of the program."

She said the ROTC instructors make sure no student oversteps his or her boundaries.

Profits from the March 9 auction to be held at the high school will help pay for new color guard equipment and the ROTC awards banquet at the end of the school year. Auction items will include donations from local businesses, such as electronics, clothing and other gifts.

"In previous years we held the banquet in the high school cafeteria," said Leone. "Only a handful of people attended. Then we decided to get the parents involved, raise money and give the kids a proper party."

The banquets are now held at the Woodlake Country Club in Lakewood and are attended by students and their parents.

The auction will be held in the cafeteria of Jackson Memorial High School. Admission is $4 in advance, $5 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased by contacting Petra Leone, (732) 886-2547, or Liz Sansone, (732) 833-2213.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. March 9, and baby-sitting will be available for a small fee. The grand prize at the auction will be a used car. Chances will be $10 each.

— Cindy Tietjen