THE CNMI youth should also consider the military as a vehicle that can advance their education and enhance their leadership training, according to Gov. Juan N. Babauta.
Babauta told this year’s graduating class of the Junior ROTC program on Rota that the U.S. government offers generous financial assistance to those who join the military.
“If you continue with ROTC in college, there are tremendous tuition assistance packages that will be available to you. You can receive college training while in the service, too, and you can earn credit toward scholarships that you can use after you leave the military,” the governor said.
Babauta cited as an example Army Maj. Ed Camacho, the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, who received a “fine education” by joining the military.
However, according to the governor, “I’m not encouraging you to stick with ROTC or join the military in hopes that this will reduce the burden on the government to find scholarship funds…. The lt. governor and I are committed to making sure that anyone who is motivated to attend college is not prevented by the lack of (funds).”
The JROTC program is offered to senior students to help them cultivate their leadership and motivational skills.
Babauta delivered his message during the recently held 7th annual military ball of the Rota High School Junior ROTC with the theme, “An Army of One.”
In a separate interview, Board of Education Chairman Herman T. Guerrero said there are plans to expand the JROTC program to help CNMI youths develop their leadership potentials.
Board member Esther Fleming said the JROTC is one of the best programs currently offered by the Public School System.
