A RETIRED Army officer in the CNMI has recommended a budget of over $334,000 to implement the National Defense Cadet Corps program in the two newly built secondary schools on the island.
Retired Capt. Ernest R. Torres, program manager of the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, said Chacha Oceanview Middle School in Kagman and Saipan Southern High School in Koblerville will each need $167,371 for their JROTC programs.
The figure covers at least 100 cadets per school, according to Torres. It includes budget for instructor’s salary, office materials, uniforms, demilitarized rifles, a van for each school, among other things.
“Other than supplies and ground transportation, the estimates for supplies and equipment will be sufficient to support the program based on an enrollment figure of 100 cadets per school,” Torres said.
“The salaries are adjusted to reflect the current base salaries with fringe benefits…for the senior/army instructor and army instructor totaling $90,880,” he added.
Torres asked the Public School System to immediately act on the request and prepare the implementation of the JROTC program this year.
