By LTC Maurice Bolduc

The Newsome High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Wolfpack Battalion begins this year with the largest number of cadets (250 plus) in its twelve year history. Coming off of a very successful year, which included a West Point Military Academy appointee, a four year Air Force ROTC Scholarship winner, two four year Army ROTC Scholarship winners, four three year Army ROTC Scholarship winners, multiple non-military scholarship winners, the “Top Student” at the State Youth Leadership Conference, two District Championship Teams (Raiders & Drill), a State Championship Rifle Team and over 6,500 hours of community and volunteer service. The Newsome JROTC program received a 98%, highest in Hillsborough County, during their Annual “Formal Inspection” in March 2016.

During School Year 2016 – 2017, the Wolfpack Battalion will continue it’s mission to “Motivate young people to be better citizens”. While JROTC is not a recruiting effort for the United States military, it provides leadership opportunities, team building skills, and prepares students for life after high school. Students enrolled in JROTC are expected to live up to the “Cadet Creed” and the seven “Army Values” of: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honesty, integrity and personal courage. There are several outside of the classroom activities cadets can become involved in to include being a member of the Raider, Rifle, Drill, Color Guard, Academic and Leadership Bowl teams not to mention a myriad of community service and volunteer activities.

To learn more about Newsome JROTC or to follow the exploits of this year’s cadets, log onto their homepage at: www.newsomejrotc.com or click on the JROTC link found under “programs” on the Newsome High School homepage.