Trojans’ JROTC Unit Is A Quick Study
Training through the newly formed Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Mililani High School is quickly instilling valuable qualities in many students.
The Trojans’ color guard cadets display their second-place trophy from a Sept. 16 drill competition at Pearl Harbor/Hickam. Pictured are (from left) Quentin Tyler Tapacan, Andrea Thayne, Virginia Johnson and Rebecca Israel. Photo from Mililani High School Army JROTC.
Led by Senior Army Instructor and retired Lt. Col. Tim Schiller, Mililani students performed well at the annual JROTC Drill Meet Sept. 16 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor/Hickam.
The competition featured a variety of drills including Color Guard command drills, which require intricate step work and precise routines.
Although a new group, the Trojans took second place in the Leadership Education and Training Color Guard category.
Schiller is excited about the future of this young program and the benefits the cadets receive, which will help serve them well beyond high school.
“We take them out of the classroom setting, and they are immediately in charge of others and how to interact around others. We want them to obtain principles of leadership, duty, honor, integrity, self-less service and personal courage,” explained Schiller.
JROTC positions offer opportunities for students who may be interested in military careers. If a student completes three years of JROTC duty and enlists in any of the armed services, they will be receive an initially higher rank at the E- 3 category.
Schiller encourages students to follow the senior ROTC programs during college. “You can get your degree and permission to join the military as an officer,” he said. “That is where I came in because I went through that program 27 years ago. I got commissioned and served on active duty for 22 years.”
