GHS enacts Junior ROTC program

GONZALES — As Gonzales High School kicked off the 2016-2017 school year, administrators, and staff were also kicking off a new program. For the first time in school history, GHS has a ROTC program.

In 2016 there were eight applications for the National Defense Cadet Corps program. The NDCC is identical to typical ROTC programs, but it is school funded, rather than federally funded. Of the eight applications nationally, only four were accepted. GHS was the only school in Texas accepted for the program and is one of just two NCDD programs in the state, with the other being in Elgin. September 12, was the first day of class.

Joe Martinez, former GHS principal, current director of support services and now Naval Science instructor happily took on the program. Martinez has 28 ½ years experience. He is a retired Marine and served at one time as a drill instructor at Parris Island.

Martinez said he knew the program would be successful.

"Gonzales is a very patriotic community," he said. "Our students are motivated."

Martinez said the program is taught through exercises and text, covering traditions and customs as well as leadership and civic duty.

Some of the exercises studied are marching, drill movements and basic stances, such as attention and parade, as well as how to properly salute.

Some of the text work includes naval history and nautical terminology, just like a cadet would learn in basic training – but at a slower pace.

"The program is not designed to prepare the students to join the armed forces," Martinez said. "It is designed to make the students better citizens, give them skills, prepare them for the workforce and become productive adults."

According to Martinez, there are military benefits to taking part in the program, such as early promotions.

"If the student does decide to go into the military, following two years of ROTC instruction, they would be promoted right out of boot camp, placing them six months ahead of others they graduated with.”

GHS's ROTC program now has 15 cadets and they have recently been seen out in the community. They were front and center in the GISD Veterans Day Celebration, then presented the colors at the Gonzales VFW Flag Raising Ceremony.

Martinez said the community has been receptive to the program and the cadet's parents have all been supportive – and are even discussing booster ideas for the program.

Martinez would like to take the cadets on some field trips to places of military interest, such as Battleship Texas and the USS Lexington.

The program meets during eighth period each day.