ROTC program new to LaRue County High School | LaRueCountyHerald.com – The LaRue County Herald News
By Josh Claywell
Editor
Looking to increase opportunities for their students, the administration at LaRue County High School sought to start an ROTC program.
After a few false starts in years past, the program finally got off the ground this year after United States Army officials reached out to the school to gauge student body interest.
“The conversation started following a contact by the Army in regards to starting an ROTC program with a cyber security program emphasis. After finding out that cyber opportunities were limited we continued the conversation about a traditional ROTC program,” said LCHS Principal Travis Gay. “There had been interest from students about this program in the past and conversations had started previously but fell short for various reasons.”
Gay said several factors contributed to the program getting started this year.
Interest was still high among students, staff and Board of Education members, and it helped that the school is close to Fort Knox. The community also has strong military ties.
“Our district and school vision to provide more opportunities, especially career and technical programs, for our students,” Gay said.
A partnership was then formed, with LaRue County teaming up with the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense to begin the ROTC program this school year.
So far, 77 students are involved with the program — and that includes a handful of Elizabethtown High School students as this is another joint effort between the two schools.
LCHS students are grateful for the chance, especially those who hope to one day go into the military.
“I’m very glad we have this,” said LCHS sophomore Shalee Belcher. “I probably wouldn’t have thought about going into the military for real if we didn’t have this program.”
LCHS junior Cody French said the joined ROTC because he was looking for a “challenge.”
He had wanted to sign up for the strength and conditioning class, but that is no longer offered at the high school. When ROTC came up, he jumped at the chance to join.
“I was looking for a challenge, to be honest,” said French, who wants to be a pilot or go into the military after high school. “I wanted something new. I was going to do the strength and conditioning program, but they got rid of it here, so I decided to do this. I wanted to be active.”
Brandon Butler, who retired after 20 years as a first sergeant in the Army, was hired to lead the program.
He coaches BeastMode of Kentucky, which is a Hardin County-based youth track and field team, and felt leading an ROTC program would be a natural transition.
“… Teaching, coaching and mentoring is something that I have always hung my hat on, and I was ecstatic about the opportunity to do the same within the schools,” he said.
Butler said he wasn’t surprised to hear how many students were interested in joining the program.
“First off, it’s a new program, so kids are intrigued by the new trend. Secondly and most importantly is that rather we know it or not everyone strives for change, structure and discipline,” he said. “Some find it within sports or other extra-curricular activities, but I believe that we all want to be a part of something that is doing something meaningful.
“I believe the kids have grown within their expectations for what they do, who they are and how they display themselves. I told them on day one that your first impression can be your best impression or your last impression, therefore present yourself in a manner of the person you want to be and not what you are right now.”
Gay wasn’t involved in an ROTC program in high school, but he knows just how much those programs can mean to a school.
That’s why he’s grateful to the board members for giving ROTC the green light.
“I’ve seen how the establishment of these programs can impact a school and community culture,” he said. “It is also huge for students interested in a career in the military and it exposes those that have maybe never considered that option to a different view of the Army and the military. Most kids don’t have an extensive view of all the opportunities available in the military, unless they come from a military family.
“… At the end of the day our job is to serve and provide opportunities for all kids and giving them the opportunity to participate in this program that could lead to service of our country is awesome.”
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