Aviano JROTC builds character in students

  • Published
  • By Gaia Fulchieri
  • Aviano High School
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  "Five minutes until inspection," said retired Air Force Col. Joseph Sansone, Aviano Junior ROTC senior aerospace instructor. This is how a typical Monday JROTC class begins. Sansone and retired Senior Master Sgt. Scott Seibert work hard every day to ensure Aviano High School JROTC students meet and exceed standards set.

There are 62 cadets of all levels enrolled in the program. It gives them a closer look at military life and the qualities needed to succeed. The classes introduce cadets to basic military appearance and military ethics. Cadets are required to wear their uniform once a week and go through rigid inspections that follow the Air Force dress and appearance guidelines. The class requires students to attend one physical training workout per week including a one-mile run, sit-ups, push-ups and planks.

Sansone teaches cadets about military jobs, while Seibert concentrates on helping students maintain their wellness and organize finances to plan for the future.

The corps wouldn't be complete without a dedicated drill team. This year's drill team just placed second overall at the 2012 European Drill Team Competition hosted by Wiesbaden. Our "drill weenies," as Seibert calls them, practice long hours to attain excellence in color guard as well as armed and unarmed exhibition.

This program not only familiarizes students with the strict requirements of working in the military, it also educates students about military culture and tradition. Each year, the JROTC class hosts a Dining-In and a Winter Military Ball.

"All of the school's JROTC events closely resemble the Air Force events to give students a better understanding of the military lifestyle," said Sansone.

"JROTC is not just a class; it builds the character of students who participate," he added. "Students learn respect, responsibility and discipline. Cadets have to show respect toward their chain of command, and one another. Cadets need to be responsible and get their uniform ready each week by ironing, pressing and washing it.

"Most importantly, cadets learn discipline through respecting all the requirements," said Sansone. "These qualities are essential to success, not only in the military, but in life."