Submitted by Donna White
Marlborough/Hudson – Above the main entrance to Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School is a motto that I loved from first sight: “Get ready. Get real. Get to work.” That was back in 2012. Now as our daughter is completing her senior year, I can see the transformation that her school has inspired inside her.
I think the most remarkable and surprising change in her comes as a result of the school’s Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC). One day during her sophomore year, she came home from school and announced that she had signed up for ROTC! Just like that. Back then it was a once-a-week afterschool activity with roughly 30 brand-new cadets led by Chief Petty Officer Neil Mansfield, U.S. Navy (Retired), the Metal Fab teacher, and First Sergeant Paul Journey, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired).
Beginning in 2014, the afterschool activity evolved into a full elective academic subject now with 122 cadets! The MCJROTC program became a class just like math, science, history and language arts. CWO3 Randolph P. Mann, U.S. Marine Corps, (Retired), is the senior military instructor (SMI) for all the cadets. He is an exceptional leader for these teenage cadets. He has single-handedly created a vibrant program to address the physical, intellectual, and emotional needs of these young-adult future leaders.
The success of the JROTC is based on Mann’s vision.
“I am extremely honored to have been chosen to be the first SMI and to facilitate the start of a MCJROTC at Assabet Valley RTHS,” Mann explained. “I used to be concerned about the future, but now having worked hand-in-hand with the next generation of leaders, I see their energy, drive and creativity that can take this world far beyond my generation. With this program, they will be even more prepared to carry the torch because of the opportunities and experiences the program provides them.”
Mann inspires his cadets – male and female – to consistently learn, understand and incorporate into their lives the high standards of the Marine Corps in their appearance, uniform, academic achievement, athletic performance, teamwork, conduct in and out of uniform, punctuality, community service, communication skills, respect, and esprit de corps.
The cadets have the opportunity to work, practice and compete together as teams, including the Academic Team, Armed/Unarmed Drill, Color Guard, Cyber Security, Drumline, Marksmanship, Physical Training (PT), and Raiders (physical agility).
One of the cadets, C/Capt. M.J. Manganaro, views her MCJROTC program as a family with a common goal.
“The diversity among the unit greatly impacts the success of the program overall,” she said. “Having 120 students from different communities and backgrounds also brings fresh ideas and perspectives. Despite these differences, every cadet is part of the same family. Each individual is constantly striving for knowledge and improvement to ultimately unlock his or her leadership abilities.”
Although I used the word “single-handedly” above to describe how SMI Mann set up this program, I know he would be quick to correct me on this. The new MCJROTC program is supported by a group of parents of the cadets and now alumni called the “Assabet Valley MCJROTC Auxiliary.”
“One of the best ventures and ideas that came to fruition for the program is the AVMCJROTC Auxiliary,” Mann said. “This group of supporters is made up of the greatest parents, alumni and friends I have ever had the privilege of working with. The auxiliary is a solid part of the foundation that we are building for our future leaders.”
In the past 18 months, the MCJROTC cadets — in cooperation with the AVMCJROTC Auxiliary and with the support of the school and the wider community — have produced several successful events including two 5K road races, three calendar raffles, two Marine Corps birthday balls, three awards ceremonies, trips to historic military and national sites, leadership training camps, athletic competitions, military competitions, participation in community events, parades and dedication ceremonies.
President of the auxiliary Jen Gadowski, the grandmother of Jennelle (Cadet Master Sergeant) Gadowski, said, “I am proud and honored to serve as president of the AVMCJROTC Auxiliary. I can tell you from personal experience that having a junior in the program, who was one of the original handful of cadets, that this program is one of the most outstanding I have ever been associated with. The sense of pride, discipline, manners, courage, and professionalism exhibited by these young men and women is amazing!”
For more information, to volunteer, or to make a donation in support of the upcoming cadet events, contact [email protected]
or visit www.avmcjrotcaux.org.