CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Corpus Christi Independent School District is adding a new Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, or JROTC, program to one of its schools.
It will be a U.S. Coast Guard unit and is coming to Veterans Memorial High School for the 2024-25 school year. Five CCISD high schools will now have JROTC programs.
School officials said when Vets Memorial opened in 2015, they originally planned to have a unit there. But since none were available from the U.S. Military at the time, it did not happen until it all came together this year.
"We've been kind of patiently waiting with the goal in mind of always trying to bring and ROTC program here to Veterans and the opportunity presented itself from the United States Coast Guard," said Scott Walker, Veterans Memorial High School principal.
Walker said the school had support from many—from Corpus Christi to Washington D.C.—to bring the Coast Guard JROTC there. He said it was important to have one there since the namesake of the school gives them close ties to the local military community.
"We're a Purple Star campus," Walker said. "Which shows our dedication to our military connected students, and just with the presence of the military in this community altogether, it just really makes sense for us to bring that unit here."
Walker said the school is working with the Coast Guard to determine curriculum, find an instructor, and begin recruitment. There will be four levels of courses—each with different objectives—open to all students. Vets Memorial history teacher and tennis coach Michael O'Leary, a 20-year Coast Guard veteran, said the JROTC unit is a great opportunity for students and the Coast Guard.
"Our core beliefs in the Coast Guard, honor, respect, devotion to duty, align very well with what our students should be adhering to, as well," O'Leary said.
O'Leary said students will learn important life skills in the JROTC, like discipline, teamwork and accountability. It can also teach leadership and teamwork.
He said teaching basic skills like how to wear a uniform, formations and marching can also set them up for success. While he did not have a JROTC program to join when he was in high school, he said it is something that could have guided his career sooner.
"It would be very beneficial to anyone that is interested in the military to learn more about the different branches of service," O'Leary said. "To learn those skills that can enable success in a service."
O'Leary also explained the reason he joined the Coast Guard was to help people in the local community. That is exactly what he said students can do in the program by connecting with the community through volunteering.
CCISD announced a signing ceremony is coming for the JROTC in March.