Hahnville High School’s (HHS) Air Force Junior ROTC instructors and cadets were recently awarded an overall unit assessment score of “Exceeds Standards,” the highest rating attainable, following a Dec. 4 formal unit evaluation conducted by the Department of the Air Force.
As a result of the assessment, HHS Junior ROTC instructors MSgt. Richard Lochren and MSgt Gene Moll were recognized for providing outstanding leadership in administering the cadet-centered citizenship program.
The last time HHS’ Air Force Junior ROTC earned the rare “Exceeds Standards” distinction was over 20 years ago in 1999, Lochren mentioned.
“Having our cadets recognized with the highest inspection grade possible is a great feeling, one which I feel anyone who has ever been a part of JROTC here can take pride in,” Lochren said. “What I love about our course the most is that it focuses on helping students develop ‘soft skills’ without even realizing it.”
Lochren’s counterpart, MSgt. Moll, had similar sentiments regarding the HHS Junior ROTC cadets he led after receiving the award.
“The cadets of the past four years have really poured their hearts and soul into making our program better,” Moll said. “It is great to see the cadets being recognized for their hard work.”
The Dec. 4 assessment visit provided feedback for the HHS Junior ROTC unit and assessed the group in areas such as compliance with various legal requirements. Matters such as public law, Department of Defense and Air Force instructions, and written agreements between the St. Charles Parish School District and Air Force were reviewed and scored for compliance during the recent visit.
“Achieving an ‘Exceeds Standards’ is no small feat; it takes a team effort and lots of hard work,” Air Force Junior ROTC Regional Director Dr. Douglas McLane noted. “MSgt Lochren and MSgt Moll are clearly invested in the leadership and character development of their cadets, providing an unsurpassed level of mentorship and guidance on a daily basis.”
Beginning with a modest 20 units in 1966, the Junior ROTC program has grown to include 870 units worldwide, with 90,000 high school cadets participating, led by more than 1,500 instructors. The group has units located all over the United States, Guam, and selected Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Europe and the Pacific.
The Air Force Junior ROTC program is considered to be a citizenship program rather than a recruitment program, open to grades eight thru 12. Students who participate in the program do not incur any military obligation.
According to the Department of Defense, Junior ROTC students who later decide to join any department of the military after high school are entitled to advanced military promotion to a grade no less than E-2 after successfully serving at least two academic years inside the high school program.
For more information on the Airforce Junior ROTC program, visit www.af.mil.
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