Air Force JROTC program starts at MLHS

MOSES LAKE — It was a simple enough exercise.

Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Will Britt asked 14 Moses Lake High School students — sorted into two groups of seven — to further sort themselves by day of birth.

And do that without talking.

“I want to see who stands out as a leader, who is going to take charge,” Britt said. “You have natural leaders and natural followers, which is fine, but the point is to see where they fit in.”

It took a few times, a little trial and error, for both groups of students to get it right. But eventually, they did.

It’s the very first drill of the MLHS brand new Air Force Junior ROTC (JROTC), and these students have gathered on the high school track for the very first time to learn a few basics — how to stand at attention and salute, for example — for what Britt and Maj. James Barnett, who heads up the new program, will be the first of many Wednesday drill sessions.

At least until the COVID-19 pandemic recedes and in-person classes can start at MLHS.

“I used to be a basic training instructor, so a lot of this is second nature,” Britt, a 24-year Air Force veteran who also served as a C-130 flight engineer, said after the day’s drill. “It’s good to see the kids.”

Barnett has taught elementary school in the Moses Lake School District since 2006, and was hired to run the district’s JROTC program in July. He also served both active duty and in Washington Air National Guard for 22 years, mostly setting up computer and other cyber operations as part of overseas deployments, Barnett said.

“The core mission of the Air Force JROTC program here in Moses Lake is community service,” Barnett said. “So once we’re able to get cadets here on campus, there will be an extensive community service plan. Each cadet is required to perform 10 hours of community service.”

The MLSD began pursuing a JROTC program several years ago, focusing on the Air Force because of the city’s history. According to Barnett, the program was finally approved last December, and this fall the program’s first cadets are enrolled in aviation history and leadership education classes.

“We’ve been looking forward to this for many years, and we’re glad the opportunity opened up,” said MLHS Principal Triscia Hochstatter.

Barnett said 51 students were enrolled in the program this fall, a solid number but fewer than the 79 that originally signed up prior to the Moses Lake School Board voting to take all high school education online in late August.

“In this environment, we’re very thankful to have as many students as we do,” he said.

Unlike the college-level ROTC programs, which provide training for future officers, the high school programs do not obligate cadets to future military service, Barnett said.

However, cadets will drill, wear their uniforms to school, and do community service projects as part of the program, and will learn — and use — military customs and courtesy in and out of class, he explained.

“One year or four years, they’ll get a good solid grounding in good character according to the Air Force core values that we’ll be teaching: integrity first, excellence in all you do, and service before self.”

In addition, students will have the opportunity to go on field trips across the state, will be eligible for scholarships to learn how to fly, and participate in a special summer Air Force survival program, Barnett said.

“It’s not a scared straight program, not a boot camp program,” Barnett said. “Elevated voice and drop for push-ups is not part of the program.”

That’s clear as cadets stand on the track, getting some very basic instruction on where and how to place their hands as they stand at parade rest and not to lock their knees when they stand at attention.

“I was expecting it to be more physical,” said sophomore Alaia Archer. “But I was really glad it was more toned down, because I suck at fitness.”

Archer said she comes from a family with a long heritage of military service, and hopes to join either the Air Force or Navy when she graduates.

“I’ve always wanted to travel, and the military will let me do that,” she said.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached at cfeatherstone@columbiabasinherald.com