PINE BLUFF, Ark. — The number of JROTC members at Watson Chapel will make you turn around and do a double-take.
"When I got here in 2020, we had about 120 cadets, we’ve tripled in size in the last four or five years, said Maj. Darryle Small.
For Maj. Small and Sergeant First Class Jimmy Dale Stocker, their job is to keep this rich history alive. SFC says
"We’ve been in existence for 50 years, so for 47 years we’ve been with honorable unit distinction which is one of the highest awards you can get for an academy," said Sergeant Stocker.
Watson Chapel has won numerous awards this year for physical fitness, drill team, and color guard.
"Almost every competition, no not almost. Every competition we go to, we place, we get gold, and we have every school talking about us," described 1st Sergeant Braydon Skinner.
Before they won competitions, however, many of these cadets were nervous about wearing the uniform.
"It made me grow as a person and instilled confidence. I started talking a lot more and I started to become more of a leader," said Cadet Chelsea Grigsby.
1st Sergeant Madison Bagby added that JROTC changed her mindset and opened her up to new career goals.
"At first I did not want to go to the military, but after joining JROTC, I’m really looking right into the future of being a doctor and I’m trying to decide now," she said.
It’s by no means a requirement for JROTC members to join the military, but the goal of the program is to establish future leaders of America.
“Hardest thing to do in this world is to be in charge of your peers because they know you. You’ve got to take that extra step and I think the kids have picked up that ball and run with it," Sergeant Stocker added.
These kids have their entire future ahead of them, and for now, they’re proud to represent their hometown and the Watson Chapel Wildcats on the big stage.
“I’m very proud to be a Wildcat. It means a lot to me because we’ve come so far, "Cadet Grisby said.