JROTC leader resigns from Pahrump Valley High School

After three years at the helm, Pahrump Valley High School’s JROTC leader, Lt. Col. Patrick J. Nary, is leaving the post.

Nary took the position during the 2014-2015 school year, working with the cadets.

During his short tenure, Nary said the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program has “come a long way,” since its inception.

“The first year we lost around 50 cadets because they wanted the old way,” Nary recalled. “They wanted to watch movies, not wear the uniform and just get rank and A’s in the class. The standards were raised and as I explained to them, they were responsible for the success of the battalion, not Master Sergeant Smith or I. This year was a little rough, but looking at the upcoming cadets, there is a lot of potential in the next few years.”

Mutual feelings on resignation

Additionally, Nary did not mince words as he described his experience during his time leading the program.

“For the most part, my experience was good working with the cadets, students, faculty and staff,” he recalled.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t like the direction the school was going and decided to just move on. I think it was a mutual agreement because after I dropped my resignation letter off, the first question asked by the administration was ‘do you know anyone that can replace you?’ This just confirmed my decision to leave. Ninety percent of our students come to learn. Unfortunately, we spend 90 percent of our time dealing with the 10 percent. These kids need help, but we’re letting them get away with too much by not enforcing the standards set by the school district.”

Moreover, Nary said he had strong feelings about leadership, on both the school and the district level.

“I asked a simple question in an email back in October,” he said. “I talked to the administration about it in December and here we sit today with no answer to my question. As I told my administration at the school, ‘you have to have HOT communication, honest, open and two-way.’ That doesn’t exist. We even had a meeting with all teachers in December to discuss disrespect and nothing has changed.”

Regarding Nary’s assertions, Nye County School District Superintendent Dale Norton said he had no idea as to what Nary was referring to while adding, “I wish him the best.”

Positive outcomes/personal tragedy

On a more positive note, Nary gave high praise to former and current students at the school.

“We have great students at PVHS, you can just look back four years and see,” he said. “One graduated from the Citadel this year. One is at West Point, one has a four-year Navy scholarship at the University of Washington. One assisted with the study of Dark Matter at the University of Nevada at Reno and one is going to the Air Force Academy this year. Every teacher in the district should be proud of the students that they have helped mentor throughout their schooling.”

The 2016-17 school year did not get off to a great start, as Nary encountered a personal tragedy involving a family member.

“As most people know, I lost my 30-year-old daughter to cancer this year,” he noted. “She left behind an 8-year-old daughter who is living with my son and daughter-in-law in Iowa. It was rough but the focus on the cadets and students helped me tremendously. When I decided to resign my position, I had numerous cadets and students thank me for being a father figure to them. Some of my ninth graders even asked if I would attend their graduation. Of course, I will be there to see them walk across the stage.”

Big thanks to the community

On the issue of local support for the JROTC program, Nary said the community played a huge role in the overall success of the program, including Pahrump’s GI USA business along Highway 160, and Shear Talent Beauty Salon, Barber Shop.

“Their support showed the cadets that the community is there for them and they believe in them,” he said. “The Elks Lodge provided cash to buy socks, T-shirts and dress shirts for the military ball.”

Despite the issues he raised regarding the school district and the high school, Nary said he has enjoyed the experience.

“My experience working with youth for over 20 years is that they are looking for direction and discipline,” he said. “Just recently we had one of the students that was in our summer program with parole and probation come back to say hello and thank you. As I tell the cadets, ‘So go the seniors, so goes the battalion.’ There’s always room for improvement and my hopes are the cadets take the lessons learned over the last three years and push themselves and the battalion to get even better.”

Leadership role at new school

As for his next venture, Nary said he said he is taking over the same position at a Las Vegas-area high school come the fall semester.

“I’m not retiring but taking another JROTC position at Valley High School,” he said of the school in Las Vegas. “My first question to the principal and assistant principal was ‘do you enforce standards set for the students?’ Both assured me that the rules are in place and they are enforced. They’ve already had a taste of the standards I’ll be looking for and have taken steps to ensure they know the rules and regulations. This school also has two other instructors with close to 200 cadets so it will make the job a little easier.”

Parting words/history

On a final note, Nary offered appreciation to the community and many of his colleagues during his time at Pahrump Valley High School.

“I would just like to say thank you again to the community for all they’ve done for me, the cadets and my family,” he said. “It does make it hard to leave, and I will miss those that I have gotten to know. To the parents and the district, I would say get involved, ensure your voices are heard and have a say in the direction the school is headed. To the teachers and staff that I’ve worked with, thank you for your support. You all do a great job, and keep it up. For some, it’s only a few years away and then retirement to watch the kids you’ve taught and mentor take over.”

Nary spent 26 years on active duty with various specialty jobs serving all over the United States, including Fort Benning, Georgia, preparing infantry soldiers from private to colonel.

He was also responsible for the training of military and civilians headed to Bosnia and Kosovo.

His last position in Kuwait, involved working with that country’s Special Forces.

“I had 10 years’ experience in recruiting and was called back even after learning Arabic to help the brigade located in Las Vegas,” he recalled. “I have six years in the Middle East and North Africa advising the U.S. Ambassador, as well as training foreign units. I’ve served in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait and Oman.”

Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes