By Russell Omo

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Smores, campfires and singing Kumbaya is what usually comes to mind when thinking about camping. However, MHS’ own Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadets experienced something far different than the typical stereotype during their stay at the Schofield Barracks for the JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) from March 18 to 21, where they got a taste of military training and experience.

“It gives the cadets, who have never been exposed to the military, a chance to go to an active duty base, work with active duty soldiers and witness the real way how (the military) trains,” explained Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Schiller.

The JCLC is a four-day training camp where cadets from schools across the state take part in various military activities. Instead of being placed in cabins with their own schoolmates, cadets are teamed up with other cadets from other schools to form a battalion that they trained with for the duration of the camp. “When I first got off the bus I was just like, ‘I’m probably just going to have to stick with somebody from my school,’ you know? But by the end of the camp, I was friends with everyone. It was like we knew each other for a lifetime,” expressed Freshman Alexander Wilson.

Cadets who took a commanding role were able to earn experience that would become useful in future military activity. “I was the Command Sergeant Major for the Fourth Group Battalion so I was able to use the leadership skills that I learned (at MHS) and applied them in a bigger battalion where it really counts,” said Junior Natasha Parowski. Parowski as well as Juniors Andrea Thayne and William Pagonis and Sophomore Madeline Lee, due to having previous experience in JROTC, were able to participate in the Advanced JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge, a camp before JCLC that trains advanced cadets.

After participating in JCLC, cadets have found the experience and the drive to move on to the ROTC, other military academies or even enlisting.