Charles City High School JROTC program continues to shine 20 years later

JROTC Army instructors Vernon Peters (far left) and Steward Greene (far right) stand with approximately 40 cadets who are enrolled in the program that is now in its 20th year of existence.

Andre' Jones photo

“To motivate young Americans to become better citizens.”

That motto is plastered on the wall and every textbook of Charles City High School’s JROTC program, an organization that is celebrating its 20th anniversary this school year.

But this local JROTC program’s growth and existence came to be unlike any others in the program. And yet, it is considered to be one of the main faces that is identified as being affiliated with Charles City High School.

Charles City’s JROTC Senior Army Instructor Lieutenant Colonel Vernon Peters and Army Instructor Sergeant First Class Steward Greene spoke about the program, reminiscing the growth and achievements of an organization that has impacted so many.

“I had planned to go to Georgia upon my retirement before a friend of mine told me about the position,” said Peters. “When I came to Charles City, the facilities were relatively new and I was impressed that it would be a new program.”

“Initially I was on active duty in Georgia and was in the process of retiring,” Greene commented. “I thought about the ROTC program and contacted [former Director of Operations] Melvin Robertson on the possibility.”

In the summer of 1994-95, paperwork to kickstart the program began. For Greene, a Charles City native and graduate of the county’s school system, it was an idea that he thought would open doors for others. In fact, according to the local native, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

“I served under Gen. Colin Powell and he wanted to start 1,400 new programs,” Greene continue. “We were lucky enough to be one of them.”

With the blessing of the county school board, JROTC would become an elective course for high school students. But before even opening the doors to future cadets, two seniors at the time garnered the opportunity to dive into the program. One of those seniors was Floyd Miles Jr., who now works as a deputy for the Charles City Sheriff’s Office and also as the school resource officer.

“I remember myself and Ryan Gardner made contact with LTC Peters and SFC Greene that summer and we were sent to a cadet leadership program,” Miles said. “It was fun to get the program up and running and to see where it is now is mind-blowing.”

One of the focal points that was driven by Peters that he had to get across to students was the program was not one to recruit students into the military.

“The goal of JROTC is to build leadership, citizenship, and character development,” Peters said. “We are not here to send people to the military, but develop qualities to prepare students for a better and productive future.”

Greene chimed in, saying that the program benefits students in a variety of areas.

“JROTC instills discipline and leadership qualities,” said the Army instructor. “The program also develops pathways and has been an economic boost for those who chose to enter the military to help their education.”

Miles is an example of the benefits of the ROTC program. Despite being a cadet for only one year, he parlayed it into a career in law enforcement.

“I served in the Army for eight years in the military police department,” Miles said. “I eventually went on to work in the investigations department and then to the Army criminal investigation department.

“I can tell you from first-hand experience that JROTC opens doors for students, especially for people who want to go to the military as I did,” the current sheriff’s deputy continued. “I wouldn’t be in the position where I am today if JROTC didn’t provide those avenues and opportunities.”

Miles continued, praising Peters’ and Greene’s leadership and how they told students that while they instructed, the cadets ran the program.

“I remember how we struggled the first year to get off the ground with Cadet Command (the Army’s instructional wing to support JROTC programs),” Miles added. “JROTC is a student-oriented program and they were able to bring in the drill team and the rifle team. These were some of the goals that myself and Ryan [Gardner] wanted to accomplish and they have achieved it and I can only see it getting better.”

Both Peters and Greene also said the community support has been phenomenal since the launch of the program, so much so that there have been many accomplishments by the JROTC program.

“We have had so much help from the beginning that we can’t even describe how thankful we are for the support,” Peters said. “We have had many opportunities to do a lot of activities outside of Charles City.”

Some of those activities include attending military bases of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, climbing inside fighter jets and even Marine 1, the President’s official helicopter.

“Most stuff like that normal students would never have the chance to establish,” continued Peters. “There were things that we did such as host military balls and visit Hanover Juvenile Correctional Facility and hear from their ROTC students and the mistakes they made.”

But Peters allowed Greene to share probably the biggest accomplishment and enjoyment that the program has experienced.

“Six times,” Greene said, holding that number of fingers up on his hand. “Six times we have had the opportunity to post the national colors at Washington Redskins games. That is always an honor and to do it that many times within the last 20 years is a testament to this program.”

According to the two instructors, no other high school JROTC program has posted the American flag during pre-game ceremonies more than once during that time span.

Charles City’s JROTC didn’t always have a clear pathway, facing the real possibility of being terminated during budget debate on three occasions. But community support stood pat, and it was something that has continued to keep the program going.

“We have done so many events in the community,” Peters added. “From posting colors at home sporting events to memorial events and marching in parades, we have always been present in Charles City and represented the county when we went to other places.”

More than 1,000 students have come through the program, something both instructors are proud of as they exhibited watery eyes recalling those who have become successful.

“Many of those who have come through the program now teach and we even have one that will be retiring from the military soon,” Peters said. “We have had four cadets receive full ROTC scholarships and last year, we had one [Brandon Collie] to be appointed to the United States Army Service Academy.”

“I love to think about those who are successful and even those who have not been as successful who were part of this program,” said Greene. “I know that one way or another, ROTC has helped them along the way.”

Today, 55 students are part of the Panther Battalion, accounting for 28 percent of the high school pupil population. Another distinction Charles City’s program carries is that it continues to produce strong numbers of interest.

“We were fortunate to get started when we did,” Peters said. “Nowadays, it is very difficult to get a program off the ground. By today’s standards, a school has to have at least an enrollment of 1,000 and at least 10 percent has to be part of the JROTC program.”

For Peters, seeing 20 years was not in the forecast when he first arrived in Charles City, but as he concludes his final year prior to retirement, he sends a message to those who have come through the program and plan to become part of the organization.

“Working with these young kids has been amazing,” the lead instructor said as he wrapped up the interview. “When I return to reunions and tell others what I do, they simply respond by telling me that ‘I am touching our future.’

“I can see Cadet Command continuing to support JROTC’s transition into the future with the advancement of technology, curriculum support, and being the forefront of education for the future.”