JROTC — Developing Leadership and Citizenship

Army JROTC is a core program at Missouri Military Academy.

The U.S. Army has announced plans for a new cybersecurity

education program designed for the high school Junior Reserve Officer Training (JROTC) corps, and Missouri Military Academy is one of 10 schools selected to participate in the pilot program.

The goal of the cyber pilot program, developed by the Office of the Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs), Army Training and Doctrine Command and U.S. Army Cadet Command, is to expand the science, technology, math and engineering curriculum for JROTC programs around the country. Because of the intended academic rigor involved, students could earn AP or honors-level credit for the courses, and the program would last all four years the students are involved in JROTC. Initially established at MMA in 1917, JROTC is an important part of MMA’s academic program and leadership training. A priority program at the Academy, JROTC involves every MMA cadet.

“Even from the first year, they’re surrounded by other young men as leaders,” says Capt. Joseph Balvanz, JROTC instructor. “As a result, it breeds confidence. They see boys their same age or near their same age, maybe from similar cultural backgrounds or economic means, and they see them executing. They see it’s not about where you come from or what your last name is. It’s about how you perform as a leader and if you’re willing to put yourself out there and be a mentor to younger men.”

The Army was specifically interested in MMA, among other schools across the nation, as a site for the cyber pilot program due to the Academy’s diverse student population, facilities and information technology infrastructure. JROTC is not intended to facilitate recruitment into the Army; it instills values and character traits that resonate across numerous professions, including information technology (IT). The IT skills and certifications cadets achieve will provide them with opportunities in the computer science and technology career fields — in government and private sectors alike — and support their pursuit of higher level technology degrees after graduation.

What Is JROTC?

JROTC is a federal program sponsored by the United States Army aimed at teaching middle and high school students the importance of citizenship and leadership. The Leadership Education Training (LET) curriculum emphasizes life skills, scholarship, personal management, health and wellness, physical fitness, finance, executive functions and most importantly, leadership. At MMA, those formative goals shape the JROTC experience. Whether it’s marching together, sharply dressed in uniform, to the dining hall at 0700 or vying for leadership positions within their classes, companies and extracurricular activities, cadets in JROTC are honing skills that enable them to take command of their education and future careers. National studies indicate that students in JROTC consistently perform above average in terms of GPA and standardized test scores.

At MMA every cadet is a member of the corps of cadets and required to take Army JROTC. The MMA Corps of Cadets functions as a leadership laboratory, supported by the JROTC program.

“Army JROTC is a high-quality program that is integrated into every aspect of daily activities at MMA,” says MMA President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret). “Our staff, faculty and coaches are expected to understand and support the JROTC program to include the extracurricular activities. JROTC clearly enhances the MMA military educational model with emphasis on structure, selfdiscipline and accountability.”

A Model of Excellence

The 133rd Missouri Military Academy Corps of Cadets, led by Battalion Commander Michael Machary-Pagan ’22, executed the 2022 Army Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) Program of Accreditation (JPA) on April 8, earning a near-perfect score of 98.3.

Tyrone Middleton represented the 3rd Brigade JROTC Command for the 2022 JPA. The triennial inspection was supported by University of Missouri (MU) Professor of Military Science and Leadership (PMS) LTC Tara Bradley and University of Missouri Senior Military Instructor SFC Bradley Williams. In addition, eight college senior ROTC cadets from MU and two senior ROTC cadets from William Woods University conducted barracks inspections and observed the honor platoon and color guard performances.

“Our annual JPA inspection holds us accountable for maintaining a high-quality Army JROTC program — a leadership program integrated into every aspect of MMA life,” Geraci says. “Through this outside review, we ensure that we meet the standards for Army JROTC and uphold them with excellence.”

The emphasis on excellence is clear in MMA’s nationally ranked JROTC programs, including the Fusileers Drill, Raiders and Colonels Rifle teams.

MMA Fusileers Drill Team

An example of MMA’s excellence in military leadership, structure, discipline and class, Fusileers team cadets compete in the following categories: Armed Regulation Drill, Unarmed Regulation Drill, Armed Color Guard, Unarmed Color Guard, Armed Exhibition and Unarmed Exhibition.

At the 2021 National High School Drill Team Competition (NHSDTC) — competing in the U.S. Army Drill National Championship and the All Service Drill National Championship — MMA’s Fusileers placed first in the nation in Armed Regulation at the All Service Nationals Master Level and first in the nation for Armed Color Guard for both the All Service Nationals Master Level and the U.S. Army Drill National Championship.

In 2022, facing tough competition against approximately 70 schools and roughly 1,500 cadets, the MMA Fusileers finished fourth in the nation in the Armed Masters division. Cadet Michael Machary-Pagan, a high school senior from Lake St. Louis, Missouri, earned first place in the nation for armed commander. Cadet Rene Garcia Garza, a high school senior from Cadereyta Jimenez, N.L., Mexico, earned first place honors in the armed individual drilldown competition.

Colonels Rifle Team

Cadets gain discipline and control through target shooting with the Colonels Rifle team, which brings with it a long history of success, with cadets making it to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Sectional Qualifier. Following the 2022 JROTC National Championship competition, the MMA Colonels Rifle team ranked seventh nationally among all Army JROTC programs across the nation. A total of 2,178 JROTC cadets from across the United States, Europe and the Pacific competed for the national title March 17-19 in Camp Perry, Ohio. Cadets Marco Afane, Rene Garcia Garza, Lance Newland, Blake Morais and Ethan Zinzer represented the 2022 Colonels Rifle team.

Raiders Team

The MMA Raiders team trains for regional and nationally sanctioned Raiders competitions. The training for the militarystyle competition builds teamwork and comradery among our cadets and includes a 5K road march, Raider Challenge Course, Physical Team Test (PTT) and Gauntlet Course, a one-rope bridge and obstacle course. The competition is a precursor to the collegiate-level ROTC Ranger Challenge Competition. The MMA Raiders put forth an impressive effort at the U.S. Army National Championships Nov. 6-7 in Molena, Georgia. Following the twoday competition, the MMA team ranked 19th overall out of 30 teams.

Growing as Leaders

Leadership training is one of five elements of MMA’s 360° approach to education, along with academic excellence, character development, personal motivation and physical development, allowing its impact to be felt at all levels of the cadet experience. By the time cadets reach high school, JROTC raises the bar.

“JROTC is a program designed to make better citizens, and in doing so, a lot of what we talk about is leadership,” Balvanz says. “As far as the JROTC curriculum, a full third of it is designed specifically to enhance leadership development.” Whether it’s through innovative courses like the new cyber pilot program, national competitions or on-campus interactions with their fellow cadets, Balvanz says it’s his hope that cadets learn during their time at MMA that where they come from does not define them — rather, it’s their words and actions that show who they are.

“I hope they learn that leaders walk the walk, and we talk the talk,” he says. “And I hope when our cadets look at themselves after their time at MMA that they see a respectful, honest, young leader — a young man who carries himself with pride and presents himself in a manner that would be suitable of a young gentleman and, through his own hard work and discipline, is motivated in the opportunities that are opened before him.”

President Geraci (left) and JROTC instructor CPT Balvanz present John Latenser ‘22 with a commendation for outstanding JROTC service in May 2022. The Colonels JROTC Raiders compete in the state championship meet held at MMA in October 2021.