ROTC sails away from Wilson High

Wilson High and the LBUSD should be working hard to keep the JROTC program operating in all of it's schools. Isn't this program just what some of those troubled kids need? A sense of family and comradeship, a sense of duty and honor, love of country, respect for the law? Doesn't the JROTC instill an appreciation for education? It seems to me that this type of program is just what some of these kids need a lot more of, rather than less. If LBUSD allows this program to fail, it will have again failed all of its students, and all of the taxpayers who pay the bills for both education and crime.

How about the military dropping the number of kids required to keep a class open? They've dropped the requirements for joining the service enough.

JROTC is not a means of recruiting for the military...at all. It is an organized group led by highly professional men and women who served this country. The concern for the future of the cadets is immeasurable. They attempt to instill a work ethic, morals, values, respect, and self respect. There are many people who do not know about the program and they need to be aware that this program gives students a place to go, a safe place. In today's age with the way society is and its negativity, we as citizens should find any way possible to help the students, not take programs that work and throw them away. Now, people have lost their jobs and students have lost a program that they love and care deeply about.

This obsessive compulsion to glorify all things military troubling! At least most Wilson HS students are smart enough to resist.

"is troubling"

The ROTC is an evil and sick ploy to prepare young Americans for wars in places we should not be. The brainwashing techniques are in place and the Kool Ade comes in five flavors.

ROTC is far more interesting than the naysayers would have you believe.

I am an unpoligetic liberal, and find that the ROTC is far more instructive about life's committments for the young men and women who join.

There is no military agenda being pushed ... evaluating choices, seeking resources to complete your goals, and personal accountability are the life lessons being taught daily. That, and an incredible physical fitness program, combined with academic tutorials on their other subjects.

ROTC is able to do this, because of the dedication of their instructors, as well the students who are incredibly respectful because their ROTC instructors give respect in return.

I'm sorry that the Wilson students will not have that opportunity at their own school; at least the district will fund their transportation to other schools, and likely be welcomed by the ROTC students at those schools.

Their personal growth is what is important in this instance, not the overwrought comments by adults on this board who may have never taken ROTC, or recall an entirely different sort of high school ROTC program long ago.

These anti military remarks are really amazing. Don't you people think that the values such a program instills in young people is far, far better than letting them get involved in the drug or gang culture, then quit school early, instead of staying away from such negative influences and trying to succeed in school? Wouldn't it be better for them to have enough drive to try to attend a college, instead of standing around outside a 7-11 or on some street corner with nothing to do? Isn't it better for these students to develop some self respect and develop positive goals rather than fall into despair and failure? Get a grip.

Sad to see such a wonderful program leave Wison HS.

Danny Wilcox wrote:

The ROTC is an evil and sick ploy to prepare young Americans for wars in places we should not be. The brainwashing techniques are in place and the Kool Ade comes in five flavors.

Apparently you know nothing of ROTC. So don't say such things unless you know it. It's hurtful to a lot of people who actaully cares about the program itself. I don't know how you got this point of view but it is hurtful and you are being selfish by saying such harsh things.
Brainwash?
Not everyone from ROTC goes straight into the miliraty.
Did you know that we leave there feeling accomplished and attend college?
Hmmm...
I don't think that's brainwashing.
Did you know that ROTC is a place where many create bonds with different types of people?
Did you know that instructors of the program gets to see their students grow?
Maybe you've never had that experience when you were growing up, but to those who did, it's crushing them.
and you're here being a jerk about it.
please try to consider what you say.
words also hurt.

It is disappointing that the state has decided that NJROTC doesn't meet the standards for PE. I know that 30 years ago was a different time, but I am sure that the toll of marching around the football field and the basketball courts and the tennis courts is the same now as it was then. Add in the mental acuity taught and learned to execute those maneuvers; combined with the academics and requisite self-discipline acquired - no PE class today teaches that. Team Sports like football and baseball, sure but not the average PE class kids take. I am fully aware of the changes to the educational standards and mandates in recent times. And I will acknowledge that even 30 years ago, Wilson NJROTC was on probation 2 of the 3 years I was enrolled (with only 3 years worth of students, not 4 years like they have now). But CAPT Montz is probably turning over in his grave. Recruitment is the key and as the Director, Classified HR in a school district in the High Desert - I say: Shame on you LBUSD, Shame on you Wilson and Shame on you CDR Brunkhorst. Because you are the ones who make the program enticing and exciting to those students regardless of the type of credit the students get; because - they do still get credit, just elective credit. So how you support the program and how you recruit for the program - that is the issue. When you point the finger at the state or the district office - 3 of the 4 fingers are usually pointing at you.
Patricia Duwel
MACS(SW), USN-Retired

Wilson NJROTC Class of 77 wrote:

It is disappointing that the state has decided that NJROTC doesn't meet the standards for PE. I know that 30 years ago was a different time, but I am sure that the toll of marching around the football field and the basketball courts and the tennis courts is the same now as it was then. Add in the mental acuity taught and learned to execute those maneuvers; combined with the academics and requisite self-discipline acquired - no PE class today teaches that. Team Sports like football and baseball, sure but not the average PE class kids take. I am fully aware of the changes to the educational standards and mandates in recent times. And I will acknowledge that even 30 years ago, Wilson NJROTC was on probation 2 of the 3 years I was enrolled (with only 3 years worth of students, not 4 years like they have now). But CAPT Montz is probably turning over in his grave. Recruitment is the key and as the Director, Classified HR in a school district in the High Desert - I say: Shame on you LBUSD, Shame on you Wilson and Shame on you CDR Brunkhorst. Because you are the ones who make the program enticing and exciting to those students regardless of the type of credit the students get; because - they do still get credit, just elective credit. So how you support the program and how you recruit for the program - that is the issue. When you point the finger at the state or the district office - 3 of the 4 fingers are usually pointing at you.
Patricia Duwel
MACS(SW), USN-Retired

As I read your comment, I felt as though you were making an informed reply regarding the unfortunate situation here at Wilson. I soon realized that was not true. You shamed CDR Brunkhorst without knowing full well the entire circumstances behind the number issue. CDR Brunkhorst tried to head off the inevetible by, for the 1st time in the program's 41 yr. history and at his own expense, taking cadets in uniform to all 25 of the feeder Jr. Highs. This was to explain the program and to excite the 8th graders destined for Wilson High. At the end of the effort, there would have been approx. 150-200 new cadets. Added to this, there were 55 returning cadets. The CDR expected 200-250 cadets for the coming year.
Being a Classical High School, what used to be 8 classes allowed was cut to 6 due to budget issues. JROTC now having to be considered an elective, leaves no room for students to choose it as an elective.
So, "Senior Chief", before you consider "shaming" an officer and writing comments, you should be prepared with all the facts. I hope I have enlightened you to the current situation and hope that you do not make the error EVER again. SHAME on you.

I am currently a junior at wilson high school and have been in the wilson njrotc for those 3 years. I hate the fact that the njrotc will be taken out by my senior year. The njrotc is where I met great friends and what made me a confident person. I know the same is for some others in the njrotc, and now the new kids that come to wilson will not have the chance of meeting the great people in njrotc and all of the experiences from the program.

Wilson NJROTC Staff
Cadet LTJG Matthew Calima

I am a junior at wilson high school and i am really depressed that njrotc is going away. I was in the program in my sophomore year because i looked at njrotc as something better than p.e and it was. I became so involved with the njrotc that i wanted to continue it til my senior year but now since there taking it away, all the memories, accomplishments i made, and all the things that i ever liked is all thrown aways because of the schoolboard decides to take away njrotc from wilson in the last 2 weeks of school. All of us had our plans for next year, we all had everything planned out to make next year better and hopefully be noticed more to get our numbers back up but now we cant do that anymore. It looks like that the schoolboard wants to take away the 41 year old tradition of wilson njrotc program. I know for a fact that were not going let what happend in San Francisco effect us, were not going to let every school not have a njrotc. Wilson njrotc is gone now, but it still dosent mean that were not going to let this pass by and a lot of us still havent given up hope and were still going to help any other school in Long Beach that haves a jrotc program that is in need of help. The NJROTC program changed me a lot and changed a lot of people. But most of all, it gave me another family. A family that i will always see and hang out with and all my friends in the njrotc are like family to me, taking njrotc away is just taking away the closest family that i have and i love them all very much and im very sad to say is...im going to miss this program very much and now wilson high school is going to be very different from now on.

Wilson NJROTC Staff
Cadet ENS Carlos Montalvo

I was in R.O.T.C. when I was at Wilson and I love it I am upset that how the school is leeting go of the program and it help alot of kids who want to go in the Navy or the Marines.My son was going to follow mine and my familt=y footstep by joining the R.O.T.C and now he can't because of this and this program is also just like P.E who help kids get in to fit so now the kids who are in R.O.T.C are going to be sad because Wilson is letting go of the program and I know the teacher since I wentt there for high school. I hopw that the L.B.U.S.D will read this and understand how a parent feel about this because it is wrong to do this to the kids at Wilson.

I don't think they should take away this program, because students I know have worked hard to earn their ranks and cadets themselves have worked hard to show what you can do if you beileve in yourself, because they have worked morning to evening to get ready for competition and have voluntered their time to earn community service such as the Clean-ups, parades, and other community events, that is worth getting credit for such as ribbons, moving up a rank or a medal and certificate.

I'd say the Senior Chief has it right....I have not read or heard of the Officer trying to do anything ecept "whine" that "everybody" else is to blame...the other High Schools have SLC's to deal with they have 6 classes .....so your kid gets up early and goes to "0" period... The CRD should be teaching the students that sometimes "crappy" things happen in the MIitary and you have to move(even if you don't want to)... Thats the problem with the ones that enter the military when their taught they should get special treatment...life is tough in the military LOTS of things happen that you don't like...
There are 2 other HIgh Schools that offer the program and 3 Army schools ...... they don't seem to be struggling to get the numbers up......

Wilson cadet mother wrote:

<quoted text>
As I read your comment, I felt as though you were making an informed reply regarding the unfortunate situation here at Wilson. I soon realized that was not true. You shamed CDR Brunkhorst without knowing full well the entire circumstances behind the number issue. CDR Brunkhorst tried to head off the inevetible by, for the 1st time in the program's 41 yr. history and at his own expense, taking cadets in uniform to all 25 of the feeder Jr. Highs. This was to explain the program and to excite the 8th graders destined for Wilson High. At the end of the effort, there would have been approx. 150-200 new cadets. Added to this, there were 55 returning cadets. The CDR expected 200-250 cadets for the coming year.
Being a Classical High School, what used to be 8 classes allowed was cut to 6 due to budget issues. JROTC now having to be considered an elective, leaves no room for students to choose it as an elective.
So, "Senior Chief", before you consider "shaming" an officer and writing comments, you should be prepared with all the facts. I hope I have enlightened you to the current situation and hope that you do not make the error EVER again. SHAME on you.

Long beach wrote:

I'd say the Senior Chief has it right....I have not read or heard of the Officer trying to do anything ecept "whine" that "everybody" else is to blame...the other High Schools have SLC's to deal with they have 6 classes .....so your kid gets up early and goes to "0" period... The CRD should be teaching the students that sometimes "crappy" things happen in the MIitary and you have to move(even if you don't want to)... Thats the problem with the ones that enter the military when their taught they should get special treatment...life is tough in the military LOTS of things happen that you don't like...
There are 2 other HIgh Schools that offer the program and 3 Army schools ...... they don't seem to be struggling to get the numbers up......
<quoted text>

You too are uninformed...not UNIFORMED.
p.s. Use grammar/spell check.

ROTC gives the kids a sense of belonging, instills discipline and give some who would otherwise be causing trouble afterschool or on the weekends a productive outlet.

Those naysayers need to become more informed. I was a parent involved in NJROTC for 4 years while the kid when through it. I say it is a great program.

Danny Wilcox wrote:

The ROTC is an evil and sick ploy to prepare young Americans for wars in places we should not be. The brainwashing techniques are in place and the Kool Ade comes in five flavors.

Hw was home ec?