JROTC seniors move on
Senior JROTC members Sam Knutson, Austin Berogan, Derrek Zaczkowski, Nick Hulm, James Peterson, Zac Thiessen, Justin Heuer and Genia Wilson have each been in the JROTC class for four years. While some of the members will purse careers in the military, others are choosing to attend a local college and pursue careers in non-related fields. (Photo submitted by Christopher Sjue)
December 22, 2008 • written by Meagan McDougall, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Filed under Feature
In eighth grade when students are required to sign up for freshman classes, nine of this year’s seniors marked Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) as one of their electives. They kept on signing up each year of their high school career. Though not all of them have something military related in their future, the class has benefited each one individually.
“This is a very good senior class,” Major Christopher Sjue said. “Throughout the four years, they have had a ton of achievements and have demonstrated outstanding leadership. They are an exceptional class.”
Senior Nick Hulm joined the class because he was interested in the military and knew it would give him a chance to be a leader.
“Being in a leadership position has been my favorite part,” Hulm said. “I have fun with it. I like being able to help out people or just be in charge and have responsibilities.”
Hulm recently, after a long and grueling application process, was appointed by Sen. Byron Dorgan to attend Westpoint United States Military Academy as one of the three selected from North Dakota.
“I basically jumped up and down and screamed a lot,” Hulm said. “I’m usually a very reserved person and when I got [the letter], I lost my voice.”
Other senior JROTC members have also made plans to join the military. Senior Genia Wilson plans to attend the University of Mississippi to obtain a law degree and hopes to get a military scholarship as well as join the army. Senior Zac Thiessen is currently a member of the National Guard and is leaving for Afghanistan next January for a year and a half. Senior Sam Knutson is already a military police officer for the Marine Corps and will ship out for basic training Aug. 10. Senior Derrek Zaczkowski is leaving for Fort Benning, Ga. in June as a member of the Army in June. Senior Justin Heuer became a member of the National Guard seven months ago and hopes to be stationed in Kosovo.
“I’m ready to start my life in the Army,” Zaczkowski said. “Army values are really important to me: honor, duty, selflessness and respect.”
However, while their fellow senior JROTC members move on to the military, seniors Austin Berogan, Nick Nelson and James Peterson have different futures ahead of them.
“I don’t want to go into the Army,” Peterson, who wants to attend Valley City State University for Math education, said. “The lifestyle isn’t mine. I thought about doing ROTC in college, but I’m an only child, and if something happened to me, my mom would freak out.”
All three plan on attending a local college. Nelson wants to pursue a degree in electrical engineering at North Dakota State University.
“As much benefits and a great opportunity it would be to go into the military, it’s just not for me,” Nelson said. “I’m glad I took JROTC, though. You feel better about yourself, and you get to become a leader.”
Berogan chose to pursue a different career to not miss out on what’s going on back at home.
“I want to be a master in architect,” Berogan said. “I thought about [joining the military], but then I thought about my daughter. I don’t want to miss anything for her.”
Despite choosing different future paths, each member feels they have benefited from the class and would suggest it for anybody, whether they want to pursue a career in it or not.
“I thought it was all military, but it’s not,” Knutsen said. “It’s discipline, and you learn leadership and become a better citizen. That’s what it does for those who take it seriously.”
i really really think that rotc is a very very good program and i am really happy to be a part of it