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JROTC cadets take ‘command’
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Posted on Dec 15 2004
Cadets from the Saipan Southern High School JROTC Headquarters Company spent their school day doing community service by organizing a cleanup at the American Memorial Park.
In all, about 37 cadets braved yesterday’s damp weather, pulling weeds, picking trash, and planting around the historic park.
Company Commander Franco Rios, however, said the activity was more than just giving back to the community, as it also served as an opportunity for all cadets to enhance various skills that would “only benefit them” in the future.
“The reason we came out here today is to get [cadets] prepared to learn how to do their own service,” he said. “Usually our community service is run by our instructors…they will prepare everything. This one, it’s run only by cadets.”
“This lets them learn how to plan, organize, and accomplish a mission,” he added.
Rios compared his company’s service to the various community service performed by visiting military personnel.
“This is just like when they come in and go to schools and paint. It’s the same thing and we’re just trying to do something good for us and for the community,” he said.
As to picking their location for their service, fellow cadet Ivan Estra Sumar said the park was the group’s main focus due to its historical significance.
“We chose this place because this is were the veterans came and had the ceremony [last June],” he said. “This is where there’s always ceremonies for the military, and since we’re JROTC, we wanted to do it here.”
Rios said his cadets were split into three groups, each with a specific assignment.
“Each group had about 10 cadets, and one group started at the beach all the way to the flag circle just picking up trash, the other pulling weeds from around the trees, and the other planting,” he said.
Rios said another company within the battalion would engage in a similar activity next year.
Inclusive of the Headquarters, the battalion also includes Bravo and Alpha companies.
