Company Newsletter
Orange High School Marine Corps JROTC
August - October 2012
Volume: 2 Issue: 1
Photos from this year’s summer trip Aug. 6-Aug 10. Camp Pendleton, San Diego, CA.
In This Issue:
Page 2- What is the purpose of MCJROTC?
Page 3-4- Camp Pendleton Summer Trip
Page 5-7- Who are Your Officers?
Page 8 – Activities Calendar
Page 9 – OHS MCJROTC History
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Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training
Corps is a program designed by the Marine
Corps and is intended to instill a sense of
discipline, leadership skills, and respect into any
cadet enrolled in the program.
Cadets enrolled in JROTC receive an
exposure to the military, the primary
goal of the program is to develop the
leadership skills, character and selfdiscipline of the participants.
The curriculum stresses
ethics, responsibility, and
self-reliance through both
academic study and drill,
where teamwork and
discipline is emphasized.
The Marine Corps Junior Reserve
Officers Training Corps program gives
cadets opportunities to see what
Marine Corps life is like by teaching
them marksmanship and challenging
them both physically and mentally.
The program also provides them
with obstacles and responsibilities
in which they must attend to.
2
Camp Pendleton Summer Trip
From Aug. 6 to Aug. 10, fifty lucky cadets were able to spend one week of their
summer break at Camp Pendleton, California.
Everyone must meet grooming standards
before getting on the bus!
(Arriving)
Cadets were responsible for keeping their
barracks clean and making their own racks
One of the
confidence courses
our cadets were
able to take part in
were the Zodiac
Boats.
3
The leadership
courses gave
our cadets a
chance to be in
charge and have
first hand
experience in
dealing with
difficult
scenerios
The cadets also participated in
confidence courses such as the
High Tower (to the right), and
the Stairway to Heaven ( page
2 bottom left)
4
Who are your Cadet Officers?
Xavier Vasquez is 17 years old and a senior at Orange High
School. He is the Commanding Officer of his MCJROTC unit this
year. He has been in MCJROTC for 4 years and has earned the
rank of 1st Lieutenant. Xavier’s billet in JROTC is to supervise
the Battalion to ensure smooth operation and success of the
program. Xavier has attended RYLA leadership camp and has
learned life lessons from them. He has learned many valuable
traits like leadership and responsibility in his time in MCJROTC.
For Xavier JROTC has changed his life physically and mentally.
Xavier has already enlisted in the Marine Corps and is going to be
shipped off June 24, 2013. After the Marine Corps Xavier plans to
open up his own firearms company
Jayleen Apaiz is a 1st Lieutenant and she is the Executive
Officer for the year. Her roll as an officer is to report to the
Battalion Commander and to carry out his orders. She is
responsible for the Operations Officer, Public Affairs
Officer, and Platoon Commanders and their actions. She
joined JROTC as a freshman and joined 0 period Drill
Team. Drill Team helped get her where she is, it made her
more focused. She showed her dedications by doing all the
color guards and participating in all the events. JROTC
made her a hard worker, a responsible and disciplined
person. After high school she will go to college and then
enlist in the Marine Corps. She is a part of the Junior
Varsity Water Polo Team, Associated Student Body, Hand
to Hand Club and is a mentor.
Paolina Ortiz is a Junior at Orange High school. She is the
Operations Officer of the battalion as a second lieutenant. As
operations officer her job is to set up events for the program and
make sure that all the paper work is filled out properly and ready
to go. She joined MCJROTC her freshman year of high school in
hopes of getting in shape and gaining leadership skills that she
can use in her future. Her goal in life is to have a good job and
live in a nice house. As a cadet in the Marine Corps
Junior Reserve Officer Train Corps she has learned how
to become a better leader and how to take initiative in any
situation. During her sophomore year she participated in the
spring break trip and this year plans to try out for devil
pups. After High school she plans to go to Animal Behavior
college and become an animal trainer or a skilled Vet.
5
Kimberly Torres is a junior at Orange High School. She holds the
rank of Second Lieutenant and is this year’s Public Affairs Officer
and Platoon Commander for fourth period. As Public Affairs
Officer her responsibilities include planning public events, and
providing news articles for the public. As a Platoon Commander,
Kimberly is in charge of training and instilling discipline in her
platoon. She is responsible for the appearance and all actions of the
platoon. She has learned how to take on responsibility, how to
discipline herself and how to be an effective leader. When she
graduates she plans to leave with a higher sense of self confidence
and hopefully be a role model to future cadets. After high school
Kimberly plans to attend University of California Irvine to major in
the medical field and earn a degree as a registered nurse. Shes
prepares herself for this by taking Medical Core classes after
school, volunteer her time at CHOC Hospital, the Orange Public
Library, and is a part of her school’s mentor program.
Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Alexandra Flores is a junior and the supply officer for
the year. She is in charge of the supply room, getting cadets what they need
such as uniforms, hair products, p.t. gear-things of that nature. She’s gone to
NCO training and has helped out the previous supply officer in the supply
room along with a few others. Now, her job can be a little hectic, but she still
enjoys being in this program. Her experiences here have been wonderful: the
people she’s met, the field trips, everything. After she graduates, she plan on
going to a culinary arts school. The school that interested her most was Le
Cordon Bleu. Also, she’d like to study special effects make up because one
of her other dreams was to be in a movie working on creating amazing
creatures and people-mostly fantasy or horror movies of course. “I have to
say that MCJROTC has helped me prepare for my future in many ways: it’s
helped me be determined to reach my goals and never give up and it’s taught
me how to be disciplined and taught me on how to be a better person and
helped me be more outspoken and less shy. That’s why I love this program
and even when I move on I’ll never forget it,” stated Alexandra.
(No photo available)
My name is Elias Towery. My current rank is 2nd Lieutenant. I am the
Administrations Officer and this is my 4th year in the Orange High School
Marine Corps JROTC program. I truly love this program very much. This
program has changed me greatly. It has taught me how to be a leader and has
gotten me out of my comfort zone. I joined this program my freshman year, fall
of 2008. The reason why I joined this program is because I wanted to become a
leader, have more discipline in me, learn about the Marine Corps history, and
my cousin was also in this program for 3 years. The thing that I like about this
program is that you build a family. You meet new people that may be shy or
don’t understand what they are doing and this program gives you the
opportunity to teach them and show them how to do things properly. A saying
this program has that I like is that this program and classroom is your “Home
away from”. There is always somewhere there to help you out when you are
struggling with something or need extra hell. My plans after high school are to
attend Wyotech Automotive School and search for a career that involves
automotive skills. I know that I will be able to use these leadership and
discipline skills in the future and they will make me into a better person.
6
I am 2nd Lieutenant Connor Cheney. I am platoon commander in zero and first
period. My roll as an Officer is to report directly to the executive officer and
commanding officer. I am responsible for my platoon’s actions, positive or
negative. I joined JROTC my Junior year, enlisting in zero period rifle team, I
learned the responsibilities of a Marine Corps marksman and what it takes to
become an enlisted Marine. In my Junior year, I enlisted in the delayed entry
program as a Combat Medic (68W) in the US Army. I ship out next year in July
for Basic Training. My “military” experience includes OHS MCJROTC,
Infantry Explorers, and Devil Pups. With these I feel I will excel in the US
Army as a leader. JROTC has built onto my confidence, and has opened doors
to training opportunities such as Devil Pups, Boot Camp challenges, and Spring
courses. After my Army contract is over, I will use my military GI bill to attend
a college and study to become a fire fighter or a field in medicine. JROTC has
helped boost my confidence in talking to people, and understanding how they
think. I believe this will help me in addressing patients’ needs in the medical
field as well as being a Combat Medic.
Joshua Mcluvin is currently a junior at Orange High School. He is the
2nd period Platoon Commander as a Second Lieutenant. This is his
third year in JROTC and is planning to stay for his fourth. Josh is in
charge of 31 other cadets. His job to look out for them and to teach
them to work as a team and become leaders. Josh had joined JROTC
because he thought that it would prepare him for when he became a
Marine. After high school he plans on being the first out of three other
siblings to go to college, and soon after will join the Marine Corps as
an officer. “I know I’m not the best leader, but there’s nothing that
can stop me from becoming a better one, there’s always room for
improvement,” says Josh. As a freshman Josh had a goal to become
an officer his junior year. He feels honored to be the one who stands
out and given more responsibility than most cadets. “without JROTC
I wouldn’t know how to lead and it’s still a learning progress.” Josh
looked up to his freshman Platoon Commander due to his
Commander’s leadership skills; it’s what inspired him to become an
officer, but mostly inspired him to become a leader. “JROTC has
helped me so much, the leadership camps that I’ve attended has given
me more knowledge and motivation to become a better leader.
(Photo not available)
Vanessa L Angeles is this years fifth period platoon commander.
MCJROTC has opened many doors and confidence was something this
officer gained. She mentions that it has been the key to not only realizing
her true self, but doing many thing such as modeling, dance, and singing,
as well as meeting new people and making new friends. None of these
activities would have been possible without JROTC. As a second
lieutenant, her only job is to look out for and train her fifth period platoon.
Over the years, she has changed immensely and couldn’t have chosen a
better class that would help her in everything she has been involved in.
She mentions that JROTC had been the first step she took into opening
herself into trying new things. “2 years ago, I never thought I would be
seeing myself in the position I am today. I always looked up to my first
platoon commander, but never saw myself doing it.” Vanessa L. Angeles
plans to help others after high school and those in her community, she
plans to attend college.
7
Marine Corps JROTC
2012-2013 Activities Calendar
1 Aug
2-3 Aug
6-10 Aug
24 Aug
30 Aug
12 Sept
21 Sept
21 Sept
21 Sept
27 Sept
29 Sept
4 Oct
12 Oct
12 Oct
18 Oct
22 Oct
25 Oct
27 Oct
9 Nov
9 Nov
9 Nov
10 Nov
12 Nov
2 Dec
10 Dec
13 Dec
5 Feb
29 Mar
24 May
29 May
31 May
Officer meeting / planning session
JROTC summer leadership training
Summer Trip to Camp Pendleton
Welcome back assembly (color guard)
Football game (color guard)
Back to school night (color guard)
Home coming assembly (Color guard)
POW Color Guard
Football Game Color Guard
Fundraiser (Cookie dough)
Boot Camp Challenge (running team)
Football Game Color Guard
Miramar Air Show field trip
Rotary Club Color Guard
Football Game Color Guard
Canyon School Color Guard
Treats in the Streets
Football Game Color Guard
Veterans Day Flag program
Field Trip to Chapman University
JROTC Marine Corps Ball
Elks Marine Corps Ball Color Guard
Veterans Day Color Guard (x2)
Tree lighting ceremony, Orange Circle
Rotary Club Color Guard
OUSD board meeting Color Guard
Mr. Fearns Scholarship Interviews
Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Day
JROTC Awards Night
Awards of Excellence
Hello Goodbye Assembly
OHS MCJROTC
Program History
The charter for the Orange High School Marine Corps JROTC Program was
obtained by Master Gunnery Sergeant James H. FEARNS (USMC Ret.) during his term on
the Orange Unified School District Board of Trustees.
In July 1995, MGySgt FEARNS petitioned the Marine Corps for a charter to begin a
Marine Corps Junior ROTC program at Orange High School (at the time of his request, not a
single Marine Corps Junior ROTC unit had been established at any high school in Orange
County). Despite numerous discussions with several high-ranking Marine Corps officials,
his request was repeatedly denied. He finally sought an appointment directly with the
Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Charles C. Krulak. When the General declined
to provide him with an appointment, MGySgt FEARNS flew to Washington D.C. at his own
expense, appeared in the General’s office without an appointment, and informed the
General’s aide that he was prepared to wait as long as necessary to receive a personal
audience with the Commandant. After two full days of waiting, the Commandant finally
agreed to see MGySgt FEARNS, who persuaded him to issue the charter that same day –
marking the starting point for this program at Orange High School.
Upon his return from Washington, D.C., MGySgt FEARNS enlisted the support of
his close friend and colleague on the Board of Trustees, Major Robert VIVIANO (USMC Ret.)
to set up the framework necessary to implement the successful launch of this program.
On June 5, 2003, the Orange Unified School District held a ceremony honoring MGySgt
FEARNS and Maj VIVIANO for their work in founding and maintaining the Marine Corps
Junior ROTC program at Orange High School, and dedicating the ROTC facilities in their
honor. At this ceremony, both men were presented with a joint Resolution passed by the
California State Assembly and California State Senate honoring their efforts, and were
awarded the Meritorious Public Service Medal by the Marine Corps in recognition of their
“steadfast determination, selfless dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of the Marine
Corps Junior ROTC Program”.
Please visit WWW.OHSMCJROTC.ORG for more information
about Orange High School’s Marine Corps JROTC program.