Myra Griffin
The Houston Sun
Two new campuses will open as a STEM program centralized in Marine Corps training. The U.S, Marine Corps committed $1 million in investments to the programs to span over five years. The funding will provide instructors, curriculum, supplies and all uniform components. This will be the very first Marine JROTC program in HISD and serve as a model for other schools and districts.
The program starts with the 6th grade and has the span of six years which can give students the chance to be in the program through middle until the completion of high school.
The benefits for the students will be character building, self- discipline, leadership, organizational skills, physical fitness, mentoring and scholarship opportunities. They will earn JRTOC program course credit that can replace P.E. credit. Children will have organized community service projects as well as local, regional and national competitions.
“The MCJROTC program of instruction is designed to emphasize leadership education and leadership development. Basic training in leadership tenets, physical fitness and health, drill and ceremonies and military organization are taught as part of the Cadet’s orientation. Cadets are expected to develop certain positive attitudes, values and leadership qualities from the instruction and leadership provided by the Senior Marine Instructor and Marine Instructor,” according to the MCJROTC curriculum.
The students will have four instructors, Major Stoval, Senior Marine Instructor, and First Sergeant Lett, Master Sergeant Russell and Gunnery Sergeant Green as Marine Instructors.
Physical Education Marine style will be a major part of the program. It will be “boot camp” style where they will cross train with cardiovascular workouts and weight training.
Uniforms and the pride it takes to be able to wear them is 20 percent of the cadet’s grade. Students have to show up on time, with their uniforms on properly. If the student is not in uniform they will receive a zero for uniform inspection. The cadets wear their uniforms four days out of the week, Monday – Thursday and it is extremely important that their behavior is proper in order not to disrespect the uniform and what it represents.
When cadets are not in uniform they will receive dress code inspections to make sure they wear their personal clothing appropriately as well.
“Cadets will be inspected from head to toe and will be evaluated for proper wearing of the uniform, haircuts, cleanliness, attitude, military bearing, proper responses to questions from the Inspecting Officer,” according to the uniform inspections guidelines.
The MCJROTC is an academic program and fits in with the Energize STEM Academy Inc. Enrollment in the program doesn’t mean the students have enter into the service once they graduate but they must adopt the Marine Corps standards of discipline, appearance and training while in the program.
The program is nationally recognized and has received accreditation by The Commission on International and Trans- Regional Accreditation. The campuses will be located at 9220 Jutland Street 77033 and 6201 Bissonnet 77081. For more information the Corporate Office number is 713-773-3600.