The Shadow Ridge AFJROTC program is a class that teaches students leadership, community service, and discipline skills. Not only does the program teach valuable life skills but it also comes with many things to offer. For the most part, everything is cadet lead but there are four instructors who are in charge of the overall class. One of those instructors is MSgt Jackie Zimmerman, who has been a part of the program since January of 2021.  

Throughout the years of Zimmerman being an instructor, she has seen many changes in the program. When Zimmerman joined in 2021 COVID was still in place. While there was still a JROTC class online, it wasn’t the same as being in person. When students were able to start going back to school in person, it was hard to get people to stay in the program.

Zimmerman stated, “This year we’re at like 239 cadets which is the most we’ve had and we’re growing a lot. I think just having less of a military feel, but more of a caring person feel makes the program more like a family.”

Inspections are the main portion of a cadet’s grade where they are either in their grooming standards or their operational camouflage pattern uniforms depending on what the instructors say. The program doesn’t only consist of inspections, they have physical training every Friday as well as roughly 13 different leadership development requirements. Some of those leadership development requirements include drill which is divided into three teams: armed drill team, unarmed drill team, and color guard. 

A few more of their teams would be mentors, Kitty Hawk, cyber, etc. The drill teams as well as the physical fitness team attend around 6 or 7 competitions overall and they are normally within the school district. 

While the program has a lot of good things to offer, some students may be stuck in between whether they should join or not. To students who want to join, but aren’t sure if it’s for them sophomore Liam Kidd stated, “Do your best and try something. Doing something is better than doing nothing.”

While the class isn’t difficult for many cadets, cadet Kidd says, “The hardest part about being in the program is the learning curve, meaning going from military science to drill. It’s different because in drill you are practicing with rifles where in military science you’re mainly practicing things like marching and aerospace science.” 

Even if students aren’t planning on joining any of the branches in the military, the JROTC program here at Shadow isn’t just about being military ready but to create a safe environment between everyone while still learning essential life skills. This program can be frustrating at times but overall benefits students in the long run, not just while they’re in high school.