On March 12 Marine Corps Base Quantico hosted the Marine Corps junior ROTC unit from Milford Mill Academy in Baltimore for a day filled with military experiences not available in their community.

Led by retired Gunnery Sergeant Samyra Rogers and escorted by Cpl. Turnell Robbins, from Marine Helicopter Squadron One, the group started the day with breakfast at Bruce Hall. The students then boarded the bus to head over to Camp Upshur. While waiting to begin training, the group’s unarmed drill platoon got in some practice drills, with Cadet Captain Deborah Ogun, 18, leading the way. Ogun and her team will compete in a regional drill championship on March 28 against 13 other teams.

When the instructors were ready for them, the students took turns in the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Training facility and the Virtual Combat Convoy Trainer. In the ISMT the students participated in numerous “shoot or don’t shoot” scenarios with M-4 rifles. The students enjoyed themselves and learned how to evaluate tense situations. When asked what they learned, one student replied candidly, “Don’t shoot innocent people.”

Cadet 1st Lt. Ashley, 17, is currently the executive officer of the unit and helped to keep the group in line throughout the day. She is set to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery in April and wants to enlist in the Marine Corps after high school. Ashley said she eventually wants to become a Marine Corps lawyer and that she loves leading. She feels the junior ROTC experience has opened her eyes to a lot of opportunities, helped her get in shape, and enabled her to get involved in volunteer work.

Rogers has been working with the program at Milford Mill Academy for six years. She currently has 146 students in grades 9-12 and said that about 10 per year enlist in the Marine Corps after graduation. Rogers retired from active duty in 2002 but said she still keeps in shape so she can lead the cadets, and she finds the work very rewarding.

— Writer: ebaker@quanticosentryonline.com