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TMHS MCJROTC expected to grow in size and strength.

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Corey Bryan
April 25, 2012
Filed under Sports

Tomball Memorial’s MCJROTC program will grow to a new level next year with the joining of new cadets and one year of experience.

The program will grow from its current 85 cadets to around 140 to 150 next year. The new year will open up new activities and a new addition to the unit.

“As we expand, we will determine the size,” said Lieutenant Colonel Carlen Charleston.

Next year will involve gaining a company, which consists of two to three platoons which is equal to class periods. Two companies grant the adding of a battalion, which has its own addition of a chain of command. The program is looking at almost doubling next year.

The current company chain of command will take control of the battalion level and spaces will be filled below. The Battalion Commanding Officer will be Cadet Dylan McKain. The Battalion Executive Officer will be Cadet Zachary Kennington. The Battalion Sergeant Major will be Cadet Ty Muhl.

If the original plan doesn’t work out, the current company chain of command will be promoted up a rank when the new platoons are added. Each platoon is commanded by a Platoon Leader and a Platoon Sergeant. Below these positions are Squads, which are led by Squad Leaders.

“I feel optimistic towards next year, the training will be effective and enjoyable,” said First Sergeant Anthony Randle.

The after school teams with ROTC will have more involvement and will be able to plan out more than this year. The teams will be able to attend more field trips, and perform more.

“The more cadets, the more focus,” said Charleston

“We hope that the teams will be separate from the chain of command, we need full focus on both,” said Cadet Captain Dylan McKain.

In the future, classes that are given by Lt. Col. Charleston and 1st Sgt. Randle will be given by the cadet chain of command. This will not be available for the program until the first senior year of TMHS.

“I’m feeling confident about next year,” said McKain.

There is a slight chance that the ROTC program will host a drill meet next year but it is not accountable yet. A drill meet is an event where JROTC programs from around the state come to compete in events such as Drill Team, Color Guard, and Physical Training or P.T.