New RHS program focuses on building good citizens

By Staff
Melissa Cason
Some students at Russellville High School begin one of their classes with pushups, but the class isn't physical education. It's the new Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corp or JROTC.
RHS added the new course this fall, and the program already has 34 students enrolled in the program.
The class, which has five different sections, is taught by Army veteran Lt. Col. Norman Lier.
Lier spent 22 years in the Army infantry division after earning his degree from UNA. After retirement, Lier went back to UNA to earn his teaching certification in history. He was hired last summer to head the JROTC program at RHS.
"It's important for everyone to know that I am not a recruiter," Lier said. "It's not my goal to hand each student their enlistment papers at graduation. But, we do explore all the branches of military service and recruiters have already visited our students."
Lier said the purpose of having recruiters visit the students is to make them understand the importance of a good education even if they plan to serve in the military after graduation.
"Our military wants educated, top-notch students," Lier said.
Lier said the program covers several topics from history to civics, and everything in between.
The mission of the JROTC is to motivate young people to be better citizens.
Lier said the students also participate in different events such as flag retrieval, and presenting the colors at the home football games.
"We present the colors at all the home games, and there are students who raise and lower the colors at the start and end of every school day," Lier said.
Lier said the students also learn skills taught in the Army such as repelling. The class will be taking a field trip to UNA to learn how to repel.
Lier said since the JROTC class is different from a typical class, there is more excitement about it.
"We do different things, and generally there is an excitement about joining the class," Lier said. "The excitement attracts more and more students."
Lier said that while the program generates excitement, it also has a really good advantage: It gives students a solid foundation in leadership, and builds their self-confidence.
While this is the program's first year at RHS, the program has the potential to grow every year.
"Every school that has added the JROTC program loves it," Lier said. "It makes that big of a difference."
The JROTC program will be funded by the U.S. Army once a certification can be obtained.
"Right now, we are not a certified JROTC program, which means the Army isn't providing uniforms and equipment," Lier said. "The Army did send us books and classroom supplies, but once we get certification, the big trucks filled with supplies will start to roll in."
Lier said the goal is to have the certification by the end of the current school year.