Unit's rating is among top 5 percent in world
Members of the Medical Lake Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps go through some of the routines that earned the unit an honor only bestowed to the top 5 percent of all U.S. Air Force-sponsored groups in the world.
Much of the Medical Lake Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps activities take place behind the scenes, but they are most visible in duties at school athletic events.
The Medical Lake High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps unit sits among some very special company - in the world.
The unit and its instructors, Col. (Ret.) Lyle Powell and Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Al McGowan, received letters from Col. Paul Lips, director of the Air Force JROTC, dated March 22, congratulating them on the rare assessment of an "Exceeds Standards," unit evaluation.
In a letter to MLHS Principal Chris Spring, Lips wrote that "The cadets were very impressive and displayed exemplary pride in their unit," adding, "Your program defines the term 'successful unit' and established the benchmark for others to follow."
There are over 900 U.S. Air Force JROTC units worldwide and Medical Lake's inspection landed them among only about 40 or 50 units. Medical Lake and John Rogers in Spokane are the only area Air Force-sponsored units. To have an authorized JROTC unit, a school is required to have at least 10 percent of its student-population in the program.
Other armed services also have their own themed-JROTC units, with over 3,000 across the globe according to recent estimates. While it paves the way to possible military service, JROTC is not seen as a recruiting tool for the armed services.
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps representative Col. (Ret.) Ben Young visited the school March 12 to conduct the formal evaluation.
"Any unit can get that, but it turns out it's a relatively small population," McGowan said. To receive the award there are several things that have to happen, he explained.
"First of all, we have a lot of money the Air Force invests in us as far as uniforms, equipment to include computers and that kind of stuff," McGowan said. "When they come to inspect they check all of those things."
What likely sets JROTC apart from other school classes or organizations is that it is entirely student-driven.
There is a logistics person who says that if there are X-amount of books that's what an inspector should find. And that goes for every other item in inventory.
"It is accounted for 100 percent, "McGowan said.
Inspectors do not check everything but rather random items.
The second requirement is that sophomores, the second-year cadets, are responsible for a special drill called the 30-step drill sequence.
"The Air Force has a sheet of paper and it is basically 30 different stationary or marching movements that they have to do in succession," McGowan said.
One of the other key elements in any inspection is a PowerPoint presentation that covers the scope of nine unit goals for the year.
"Wearing the uniform is also factored in. Are they within standards?" McGowan said. "The ranks are different and the ribbons are different, but this is what they get in basic training," McGowan said.
Volunteer work also plays a big part. While the JROTC cadets are often seen in color guard activities surrounding Cardinal athletics, the group is very active behind the scenes.
That might include assisting staff setting up chairs in the cafeteria - every day - or in the gym for games and matches. They will pick up litter on school grounds, too.
Other determining factors in a unit's worthiness for this award include the school curriculum-related side, making sure this is covered and up to USAF standards. Powell covers this element. McGowan concentrates on the fitness side as cadets are required to maintain a specific weight.
When the inspector concludes the day's activities he delivers one of three ratings:
• Not acceptable
• Meets standards
• Exceeds standards
"They got 'exceeds standard' which is the highest rating they can get," McGowan said.
The last time the unit was inspected was four years ago where, again, Medical Lake exceeded standards and thus earned a year's grace to fall into a four-year inspection cycle.
Additional recognition for the unit came with the awarding of the Silver Star Community Service Award, also a top 5 percent in the world distinction. It is based on volunteer time, per hour, per cadet. The group of 52 cadets averaged about 40 hours per-week, per cadet.
"You don't know what the target is because it's who's in the top five," McGowan said.
Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].
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