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Middle-schoolers now drilled in JROTC discipline

JROTC isn't just for high school students anymore.

A group of Hilsman Middle School students started Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps sessions this week, a class that may keep them in shape and make them more disciplined, but that ultimately may give them a better chance of graduating.

The program at Cedar Shoals High School, open to eighth-graders for the second year, might ease their transition into high school - at least that's the idea.

"Our hope is by giving students this early experience, No. 1, they will be more acclimated to high school once they get here," said Cedar Shoals Principal Ingrid Gilbert. "No. 2, being that they will be acclimated to high school, that's the group we will be focused on to help the dropout rate."

This fall, 51 students enrolled in the class, substituting gym for the chance to don fatigues and march alongside seasoned high-school cadets.

The transition from eighth to ninth grade is critical, educators say. Students who aren't ready to do the work that's required from the first day of their freshmen year risk falling behind, failing a grade or worse - dropping out at 16.

The class is not an official JROTC program recognized by the U.S. Army, but students learn the study and coping skills that are part of JROTC, said Sgt. Ed Fincher, the instructor of Cedar Shoals' program.

"The No. 1 goal of JROTC is to get students to graduate high school," Fincher said.

About two-thirds of the eighth-graders who enrolled in JROTC at Hil

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