JROTC, Key Club provide community services

As Pahrump Valley High School’s JROTC program is welcoming upward of 70 additional cadets for the new fall semester, the program’s Lt. Col. Patrick Nary hopes most of the students will remain after the first several weeks.

“It’s a brand new school year and we obviously have a new crop of freshmen,” he said. “We have PT, which is physical training for the first three weeks of the year. We are hoping that they will stay and learn.”

Those who do stay will have a busy schedule throughout the school year, as members of JROTC routinely perform community service commitments for numerous area organizations.

One problem Nary has seen is many of the organizations requesting the program’s services are making their requests at times just a day prior to the event.

“Our schedule fills up very quickly so we need these individuals and organizations to understand that the JROTC and the Key Club need at least 30 days to plan and organize these types of events,” Nary said. “September, October and November are the busiest times of year it seems. Right now we are already planning for a 9/11 observance here in the community and the cadets will be involved with that.”

At present, the program is preparing for several events scheduled next month.

“On September 16, we have the military appreciation football game so we will be involved in that,” Nary said. “We will also participate in the preparation for the annual Pahrump Fall Festival. We are having our car wash fundraiser on that day as well.”

As the year draws to a close, Nary said the program’s schedule becomes even tighter.

“October is a very busy month because we have the Halloween Safe Night that will be happening again,” he said. “In November, we will be looking at a Veterans Day Memorial service at the veterans’ section of the Chief Tecopa Cemetery. We are constantly involved in various events throughout the community.”

Unlike summer break, Nary said the program’s schedule tends to narrow when students return to class, thus limiting the activities the cadets engage in.

“I don’t want to pull any kids out for that, but any time after school, we can usually accommodate the organizations requesting our assistance,” he said. “Weekends are good, but on Sundays, because of church, it’s hard for me to get away and that’s the same for a lot of the kids in the program.”

As a result, Nary again stressed the importance of having organizations and individuals provide an advance notice to the program.

“Local organizations that are planning events for October should have already contacted us,” he said. “They should be working with the mindset of at least 60 days out, before the event to contact us.”

Additionally, Nary said the fact that the program is comprised of high school students, presents its own set of challenges.

He noted that the program must consider how to schedule their own commitments during the year, which include various events and competitions that Nary and his cadets must attend, which at times are out of town.

“Folks really need to remember that our cadets and Key Club members for the most part, don’t have vehicles,” he said. “That means they must rely on their parents for getting around to these events. Plus, if the event is going to run past 10 p.m. we have to consider that, due to curfews. Those are the big issues that require these organizations and individuals to think ahead rather than waiting until the day before the event.”

Though Nary is pleased to see 70 additional students enter the program, his experience tells him that some may opt out.

At present, Nary said the program still has room for additional cadets.

“I told them last week, that it’s going to be hard but the longer they stay in, the easier it does get,” he said. “The whole reason for the JROTC program is leadership and that’s what we’re really striving and pushing for. You have to be in shape to really lead and we work on the mind, body and soul. If we can get them into shape early, they start seeing progress and results early as well.”

As an example, Nary pointed to one cadet who appeared to be struggling when she first entered the program.

“One of our young ladies when she first started was not in the best of shape but now she has really slimmed down immensely and earned a four-year Navy ROTC scholarship,” he said. “She will be attending the University of Washington so we are very proud of her. Her brother is following in her footsteps, as well as her sister and we are really looking forward to their success.”

For additional information on the community services provided by the JROTC program, contact Nary at 775-727-7737 extension 2134. Or email him at pnary@nye.k12.nv.us

For information on services the Key Club provides, call Reva Braun or David Harris at 775-727-7737.