“We need PSS to provide us operational funds in order to properly support and execute the JROTC program,” said Robert L. Gay, retired U.S. Army director of Army instruction, in his report to the education officials.
He said the program received assistance from the federal government in October which was used for the purchase of classroom supplies.
“The federal government has helped us significantly this past year in providing opportunities for our cadets to train together as a consolidated group,” Gay said.
He added that he has briefed PSS, BOE, and lawmakers on the status of the program’s operating budget, emphasizing “our critical need for resources and a workable budget.”
“[Funding] is a concern … [but] we will do what we have to do based upon what we receive,” Gay said.
According to his report, the PSS-JROTC program had over 1,000 cadets enrolled at five high schools during academic year 2007-2008.
Gay said last year, federal officials assessed the program’s performance and received “very positive feedback.”
The second round of assessment is scheduled for the current school year.
Last January, the 13th Brigade initiated a Western Region “Academic Challenge” competition for all cadets.
Over 50 local JROTC cadets competed in this online test, Gay said.
In May 2008, the local program held a similar competition in the CNMI with the Tinian High School JROTC winning in all three categories of competitions — 1st year cadets, 2nd year cadets, and 3rd/4th year cadets.
Gay said Marianas High School’s cadets, under the service learning project, served as assistants to the teachers of Garapan and Oleai Elementary Schools in Dec. 2007.
Rota High School’s cadets, for their part, were involved in the soil erosion prevention through the island’s Talakhaya project.
On Tinian, the cadets assisted the elderly during the manamko’ golf tournament.
Kagman High School’s cadets also served the manamko’ at the Aging Center on Saipan while Saipan Southern High School cadets assisted the American Red Cross in its fundraising activities.
According to Gay, the JROTC program participated in the Cadet Leadership Challenge in March, successfully held a military ball for cadets, organized a drill competition, and joined in other community programs and activities on island.
