Two NJROTC grads find success in first weeks of college

The Joshua Navy JROTC program equipped two Class of 2024 graduates with the necessary tools to be successful during the first few weeks of their collegiate experience.

Jaren Vickers, who attends the Virginia Military Institute and studies mechanical engineering, and Hunter White, who is at Norwich University majoring in chemistry, look back fondly at their years as Joshua High School NJROTC cadets and credit the program, the school and their instructors for laying the foundation for the success they have had in the early days of their higher education. 

"The NJROTC program laid a firm foundation for my morals in high school," Vickers said. "The high standards that I have set for myself started when I first bought into the program. The NJROTC prepared me for college by giving me the necessary leadership, social, physical and priority-setting skills needed to succeed here at VMI."

White echoed those sentiments. 

"Joshua NJROTC has allowed me to develop and learn different leadership styles and skills that paved the way for me to continue to develop further," he said. "The NJROTC prepared me through its constant use of time management, leadership and stress on physical fitness. The constant balance of being on the officer staff and schoolwork led me to have to make priorities and become organized to be able to handle it all."

Both pointed to Lieutenant Colonel Davidson and Master Chief Linville as role models and sources of encouragement. They both said the impact these JISD staff members had on their development and the wealth of knowledge they passed along would help them for the rest of their lives. 

Vickers and White expressed that the physical activities in college have been some of their favorite experiences so far. Vickers completed "The Crucible" which included lunges, log presses, fireman carries, a river swim and more. White finished the "Dog River Run" consisting of exercises in the river and plenty of running. Their limits were pushed, but they overcame all the obstacles and bonded with their units. 

The two challenged current JHS cadets to step out of their comfort zones, try new things and push themselves toward their goals. 

Vickers and White have high career aspirations, literally. Both are working toward a commission into the Marine Corps as aviators.