Ardrey Kell High is the only school in CMS with a Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program. On Aug. 20, during the school’s freshman open house, the unit presented the colors for the first time in school history – and in CMS history. Cadet Sergeant Major Bacheldor, Cadet Master Sergeant Medlin, Cadet Master Sergeant Elyea and Cadet Staff Sergeant Keytel represented Ardrey Kell. The program is led by Lt. Col. Robert Wint and First Sergeant James Barksdale.

CMS has participated in JROTC programs for 42 years, since Independence High established its Air Force JROTC unit in 1967. CMS has more than 3,000 students in 19 JROTC units tied to the Army (11 schools), Navy (two schools), Air Force (five schools) and, now, the Marine Corps. Ardrey Kell’s program is one of only nine Marine Corps JROTC units in North Carolina.

Ardrey Kell High is the first CMS school to be built with dedicated JROTC facilities. The Army opened a satellite program when the school opened in 2006 and CMS contracted with the Marine Corps JROTC this year. The Ardrey Kell program has more than 100 cadets. 

The JROTC program emphasizes character education, student achievement, wellness, leadership, citizenship, service to community and diversity. It prepares high school students for leadership roles while creating more constructive and disciplined learning environments within schools. 

Each cadet is issued a uniform, earns leadership promotions and has the opportunity to lead classmates. Uniforms, textbooks and training materials are furnished for free and there is no military obligation for participating in JROTC. CMS JROTC students have a 98 percent on-time graduation rate and average $7.2 million in scholarships a year, including numerous appointments to service academies. Click here for more information on CMS JROTC programs.