Cardinal Battalion
The History of Pine Grove Area JROTC
In 1982, the Pine Grove Area School Board set out to learn more about the high school elective course that might have something to offer the district students. After visiting the US Army JROTC program at Panther Valley High School and talking with LTC (Ret) Peter Doak, the school district submitted an application to the US Army for their own JROTC program. Department of the Army General Order Number 18, effective 1 April 1983, established the Junior ROTC program at Pine Grove Area High School.
LTC (Ret) Doak was hired as the Senior Army Instructor, to get the program organized. The JROTC program started in September 1983, with 115 cadets. In August 1991, Pine Grove’s School Board selected LTC (Ret) William D. Wilgus and SGM (Ret) Daniel Magruder to take charge of the program.
The cadets enrolled in the program receive practical experience in many skills that are useful in everyday life. Subjects covered, in the program, include leadership development, improving communication skills, and team building. Students learn respect for others, self-respect, responsibility, and self discipline. Community involvement is stressed as a part of the JROTC Mission, to motivate young people to be better citizens. Cadets having adopted a selection of highway in Pine Grove, and are responsible to keep it clean. The cadets march in local parades and participate in Memorial Day and Veterans Day tributes.
By establishing and maintaining high standards, the cadets have excelled during their annual Command Inspections. The Pine Grove JROTC program has a proud tradition of receiving the highest recognition, Honor Unit with Distinction, during their annual inspections.
JROTC Summer Camp, held at Fort Dix, NJ, is a voluntary activity that attracts over 6880 cadets from a three state area. Through a demanding selection process, a Pine Grove cadet has been selected as the Distinguished Honor Graduate in 1993,1996,1997, and 1998. ROTC scholarships and service academy appointments are another benefit of student involvement in JROTC. Over the past 15 years, an estimated $2.8 million of college tuition and fees have been funded through ROTC scholarships and military academies.
From the beginning of Pine Grove’s JROTC program, approximately 1,650 students have been influenced by the ideals of this course. As there is no military obligation with JROTC, graduates have gone on to b successful in every career field, including military service. The vision of the Pine Grove School Board to establish this high school course continues to have a most favorable impact on the lives of students, their families, and their communities. They are the future of our country.
