C/CPO Michael Middleton

16 March, 2020

How JROTC has prepared me to be a better citizen of the United States of America

Before one can answer the question at hand, it is required to define what a good citizen is,

and how one can achieve that goal. Is a good citizen just a legal inhabitant who pays their taxes?

Or someone who campaigns for government office? Yes, and no. My response to this question is

that there is a spectrum of productive citizens and one is never better than any other. However

these citizens do all share common traits. Service to the United States, leadership, followership,

responsibility, and accountability are the seeds from which great citizens blossom. JROTC

instills these qualities in Cadets from fall semester of freshman year, to graduation in May. My

indoctrination of these qualities started first with followership. As a new member of my unit,

mortified with the vision of failure, finding older Cadets who have grown accustomed to the

environment in which I was foreign to was my first task. Learning under the guidance of these

young men and women rooted confidence in my understanding of the customs and courtesies.

These lessons at an early stage of development has allowed me to grow into an American who

respects those in office and trusts the decisions that they make. Throughout not only the

academic year, JROTC provides community service opportunities year round. As a first year

Cadet, I observed how senior members of the unit were active in the community. Again, under

the guidance of these fine young men and women, did I find a passion for my community, as

well as a satisfaction in helping others. While volunteering in one's community is rewarding and

fun, I believe the lessons taught by these opportunities in JROTC are much more important. To

be able to help the common man, and to work for a common goal, is not so common in our
society today. These lessons have taught me to be a better son, grandson, brother, friend,

neighbor, and United States citizen. I have learned that with understanding and communication,

that collectively as Americans we can improve our home, and country. Not until later in my

JROTC career was I selected to practice leadership. During the inception of my Junior year I was

given the command of the Unarmed IDR drill team. Throughout this year I have had my

tribulations with my successes. This experience has positioned me to work amongst people of

various different backgrounds, personalities, and abilities. Cumulatively as a team we have

grown through practicing values such as communication, trust, and effort. With these goals at

our forefront, as a unit we qualified for the 2020 NJROTC Nationals Academic, Athletic & Drill

Championships in Pensacola Florida. However due to current events this meet has unfortunately

been cancelled. This experience as a young man in our country has taught me that while personal

success is great, one alone can accomplish nothing. I now will encourage my fellow Americans

to achieve education and unity, to accomplish their goals. Throughout the entirety of JROTC,

responsibility and accountability have proven crucial. Regardless of position and leadership

status, all Cadets are responsible for themselves. It is said that the two variables that everyone

must master to be successful in any facet are attitude and effort. It is the responsibility of all

Cadets to first master these qualities, only then can one truly lead others. It has taught me that as

a United States citizen, it is my priority to take charge of what has been bestowed upon me,

whether it is voting, paying taxes or representing constituents in political office. Lastly,

embedded in all other qualities of a model citizen, accountability emerges. From studying

knowledge for inspection, or representing a unit. Whatever the outcome, JROTC has prepared

me to acknowledge and accept what I have earned. This holds true in the civilian world as well,
one must take consequences and rewards in stride, for it is the work of the individual which

causes either. JROTC has taught me lessons of service to the United States, followership,

leadership, responsibility, and accountability. Combine all five, and one is left with citizenship.

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