Future Leaders

Preparing Our Teenagers to be Our Nation’s Future Leaders

By Veteran USMC CWO5 Roberto Fernandez

The Milton High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) program was established on January 10, 1970, and it is one of the oldest of its kind in the nation. I became involved with the program as an instructor in 2015, under the leadership of LCDR Jeff Dyer, U.S. Navy (Ret).

Our program mission states its intention to develop personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment in the young people who join the program as cadets. LCDR Dyer and I train our cadets in mission planning and execution. We provide them with an idea, give them some guidance, and expect them to develop a plan. They then brief the cadet corps, develop a mission statement, and execute that mission. LCDR Dyer and I remain available to provide a "rudder steer" whenever they are stuck on a problem.

Operation Bird Bath came about when the CPL J.R. Spears Detachment of the Marine Corps League Pensacola assumed ownership of Marine Pelican-1. The Pensacola Navy League had assumed ownership of the Blue Angel Pelican. Part of assuming ownership was developing a preventive maintenance plan. Pelicans in Paradise is a public art project organized by the Pensacola News Journal in which all proceeds from sponsorship and merchandise go to benefit the News Journal's Newspapers in Education literacy program.

Recognizing a job that was important to do, I pitched the idea of taking it on to the cadet leadership. They were enthusiastic and soon solicited other cadets to volunteer. At first, I had been focusing on the Marine Corps pelican, but I quickly realized that we had cadets who are interested in the various branches. Of course, they wanted to "flock" to their chosen service’s pelican! Then, with a clear plan in place, they accounted for necessary gear, and executed.

This event was a great opportunity to have cadets connect with members from the Marine Corps and Navy leagues. In addition, we had several civilians stop during the cleanup and ask about who we were. Our cadets were more than happy to tell them and also to inform them about the NJROTC program. Now our intent is to continue to perform this service for the community at large and to connect our youth with those who understand service and sacrifice.

This was just one of the many events in which our cadets have been involved, such as the MCL/TEL Semper Fi 5k Charity Run for Children. They feel honored to be invited to perform important traditional ceremonies and were proud to be asked to present colors at the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument dedication with its amazing speaker, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Woody Williams.

LCDR Dyer and I believe that the future of this country is in good hands because of the caliber of cadets we have. They know how to lead; they understand that the future of this nation is in their hands; and they proudly serve their community.

Cadets of the Milton High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) program pose with their instructor (at top), CWO5 Robert (“Rob”) Fernandez, USMC (Ret), a member of the program’s supportive Marine Corps League Cpl J.R. Spears Det #66; and (second row, l-r) MCL Commandant, COL Karl Schwelm with USMC (Ret), Capt. Dan Linderman (owner of A.J. Mugs), and MCL Junior Vice Commandant, Maj Thomas Richey, USMC (Ret).

OPPOSITE PAGE - Ahhh ... So NICE to be ship-shape again!!