REHOBETH: On Saturday students from Rehobeth ROTC contacted me and wanted to meet and discuss the changes in the Rehobeth ROTC Program. The changes were announced to the students on Thursday at 1:00 PM in a special called meeting.
We met at my office at 10:15 AM on Saturday. Three ROTC students met with me. Following the meeting I told them if they wanted to assemble a group we would meet at the Career Academy at 1 PM on Satuday and they could state their concerns. The photo depicts those present for the meeting.
The ROTC students were vey professional. They were concerned about the ROTC program merger. They were not critical but concerned and not satisfied that merging was best for the students and their future.
REHOBETH: Students at Rehobeth High School are fighting to save their Navy Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NJROTC) program as the Houston County Board of Education considers merging it with the National Defense Cadet Corps (NDCC) program at the Houston County Career Academy (HCCA). The Board claims declining enrollment as the reason, though the Rehobeth unit currently has over 80 cadets which is well above the requirement. Unlike the NJROTC, the NDCC is not funded or recognized by the U.S. military, rather it is funded by taxpayer dollars, and it does not offer the same benefits, including military advancement opportunities, letters of recommendation, or enlistment incentives.
Rehobeth’s NJROTC has a long standing record of excellence, for over 20 years, with countless competition placements and thousands of volunteer hours supporting organizations like the Dothan Miracle League, the City of Taylor, and the National Peanut Festival. In contrast, the NDCC program at HCCA does not compete at competitions, lacks military recognition, and does not provide the same level of community service or student development.
The proposed change would also make it difficult for many students to participate. The NDCC program at HCCA takes up two class periods, whereas Rehobeth’s NJROTC only requires one. This would force students who are also involved in band, sports, or other academic electives to choose between their extracurricular activities and the leadership and career-building opportunities NJROTC provides.
Students and supporters argue that merging the programs offers no real benefits and would dismantle years of achievement and opportunity. They are urging the public to help fight the decision by signing a petition and contacting the Houston County Board of Education to preserve a program that has had a lasting impact on both students and the wider community.
