Icemen JROTC cadets learn patriotism, life skills

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachary Perras
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Life in the military is often defined by discipline, modesty, integrity and duty to one's country. Just as service members learn these lessons, Eielson's youth are taught the importance of those words through the Air Force Junior ROTC program.

The program, taught at Ben Eielson High School, has a specific mission which dovetails on the core values of the Air Force: to create citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and their community.

In order to develop these individuals, devoted instructors are needed, said retired Air Force Lt. Col. Paul Brodale, senior aerospace science instructor at Ben Eielson High School. With mentors readily available, new freshmen can be shaped into successful JROTC cadets.

"Instructors have got to be the ones who keep their fingers on the pulse so that the ship is heading in the right direction," Brodale said. "For us, it's a matter of being motivated, providing cadets with a role model who sets positive examples and doing things to the best of our ability."

Brodale said a top priority for instructors is to teach cadets how to live a healthy lifestyle while developing the tools needed for life after they are finished in high school, such as how to properly write a resume.

More importantly, however, is that cadets who participate in the JROTC program here are immersed in two worlds, one of leadership and one of academic excellence. In order to maximize the learning experience, cadets set goals, whether to maintain a certain grade point average or participate in the community, which pertains to their progression in the JROTC, Brodale said.

"One of the first things we do is teach our cadets that in order to be a good leader, you have to be a good follower - you've got to be able to sit and listen and do what's asked of you," said Brodale. "And for our leaders, we have to teach them how to set an example so they know that their actions dictate how the younger cadets will follow them."

The skills learned throughout a cadet's time with JROTC are ones that can carry over into any career, whether as a civilian or a service member, Brodale explained. Due to the fact that many cadets are raised in military families, many values taught through JROTC are values reinforced by the Air Force.

"Because we expose them to the military ... we emphasize things like respect to others, work ethic and success in school," he said. "It sets the cadets up for a nice foundation for when they do step out into the regular work force."

Whether cadets choose to join the military or not once they have finished their time in JROTC, it shows that with such an established program harping on discipline, maturity and service, tomorrow's leaders will be prepared for the challenges ahead.