The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) here at Landstown High School and is about helping students develop citizenship, become part of their community, and learn about their school, state, country, and nation. The nationwide program was originally created as part of the National Defense Act of 1916 and later expanded under the 1964 ROTC Vitalization Act.
ROTC provides many lessons about basic military knowledge, law, earth science, ethics, decision making, military sciences, government, land navigation, cybersecurity, flying drones, and military teams like drill and color guard. ROTC’s color guard is displayed at games, assemblies, concerts, and more. They also do things to help our community like washing the buses, street cleanup, car washes and more.
Commander William Brody, Landstown High School NJROTC commander, states, “People think it is our job to recruit, or make recruits, or make college cadets. It is not, It is to help students find their pathway to whatever it is that they’re going to do next.”
Bryson Harris, LHS freshman, stated that what makes it different from other school offerings is the hands-on experience that is afforded to students in the program.
In addition, sophomore Carol Cassidy adds, “ROTC is very active and you get to meet new people, and you get to learn new things. I like how you can lean on each other when you need help.’
Commander Brody says that an important aspect of his job in molding young minds: “We are coaches to our team before and after school. We are mentors to young human beings who are just finding their way in the world.”
This program has helped many students grow as people thanks to the mentorship offered. Dallas DuBois, a freshman in the program, states, “It helped me become nicer to people and I have more manners.”
Harris adds, “I feel like I am definitely a more organized person, and it makes me feel cleaner and neater.”
Commander Brody says that his job involves him doing many different jobs at once: “We are teachers in the classroom. We are coaches to our team before and after school. We are mentors to young human beings who are just finding their way in the world. We have staff on board that runs the majority of our activities.”
“Part of this job is helping young people grow into the human beings they are going to be.”
As an overall program, Cassidy states, “ROTC is a place where you can make mistakes and not get judged for it, especially when it comes to drill, color guard, and PT.”
Many students want to keep doing this program because it has changed their way of thinking and how they carry themselves. ROTC is a great way for students to find their path and find new ways to express themselves.
For more information, please see their website and Instagram: Landstown High School NJROTC and Landstown High School NJROTC Instagram.
