Cadet Corps program takes off at McClain
Lead Summary
By
Madison Binegar-
The Cadet Corps Program (sometimes mistakenly referred to as ROTC) is a military-based class that began this year at McClain High School. Led by instructor MSgt. John Wilson, the Cadet Corps class teaches students to develop character and leadership skills and to serve not just in the military but in life.
Wilson said there are only two Cadet Corps programs in Ohio – at McClain and Paint Valley high schools. After seeing the Paint Valley program’s success, McClain administrators decided to make Cadet Corps a part of the curriculum options. ROTC Jr. first started in 1916 by Congress as a defense program, but McClain and Paint Valley’s Cadet Corps is different in that it has no military branch affiliation.
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Wilson, a 1986 graduate of McClain, served in the USAF for 20 years. During the last half of his career, he served as a Ceremonial Guardsman with the USAF Presidential Honor Guard in Washington DC. While there, he was the Superintendent of the Honor Guard Technical Training School and Superintendent of Air Force District of Washington Ceremonies and Protocol. Wilson said seeing kids succeed and learn the will to serve is the best part of his job as a military science instructor.
While students don’t have to commit to the military to be a part of the Cadet Corps, the program does help prepare those who do want to make that commitment, according to Wilson.
Wilson said there are only two Cadet Corps programs in Ohio – at McClain and Paint Valley high schools. After seeing the Paint Valley program’s success, McClain administrators decided to make Cadet Corps a part of the curriculum options. ROTC Jr. first started in 1916 by Congress as a defense program, but McClain and Paint Valley’s Cadet Corps is different in that it has no military branch affiliation.
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Wilson, a 1986 graduate of McClain, served in the USAF for 20 years. During the last half of his career, he served as a Ceremonial Guardsman with the USAF Presidential Honor Guard in Washington DC. While there, he was the Superintendent of the Honor Guard Technical Training School and Superintendent of Air Force District of Washington Ceremonies and Protocol. Wilson said seeing kids succeed and learn the will to serve is the best part of his job as a military science instructor.
While students don’t have to commit to the military to be a part of the Cadet Corps, the program does help prepare those who do want to make that commitment, according to Wilson.