Getting with the drill for real

Flowing Wells, 3725 N. Flowing Wells Road, hosted the Apache Drill Meet last Saturday. Representatives from all branches of the military acted as judges in the inaugural meet, which featured 23 schools.

Catalina, Cholla and Sahuarita were the other local schools to compete. JROTC students from Nogales, Sierra Vista, Phoenix, Chandler and Casa Grande also participated.

Like most competitors, the students in Flowing Wells' program were aware of every mistake they committed.

But it won't be the competition flaws that these students will remember after graduation.

Instead, the students say they will remember, and demonstrate, the discipline, leadership and respect they are learning in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program.

"I knew ROTC was something I was going to have fun in," senior Zach Graham said, "but I didn't think I would spend all four years in it."

Graham, 17, is the battalion commander of the school's JROTC program, which he said has helped him develop leadership qualities — including some that aren't all that appealing.

"Leadership comes with negatives," he said. "You have to be the bad guy."

Graham dropped his rifle more than once while he competed in the armed solo event last Saturday, but it's all preparation for the future Marine. "I have a head start on marching and basic drill movements," he said.

Although Graham plans to pursue a military career after graduation, that is not expected of JROTC participants.

"This is an elective in high school," said Maj. Robert De Witt, a JROTC instructor at Flowing Wells. "We are there to just motivate these kids to be better citizens, develop self-esteem and become leaders."

Instructors De Witt, Chief Warrant Officer Ron James and Sgt. Maj. Billy Seamans are all retired from the Army.

The program has more than 200 students taking courses in subjects such as military history, first aid and rappelling.

Students are not required to show up to school at 6 a.m. to work out or practice drills, but most do, the instructors said.

Flowing Wells' campus has an obstacle course, a climbing wall, rifle range and a rappelling tower.

Ronnie Stepanek, 15, enrolled at Flowing Wells to participate in the JROTC program, which is one of only a handful in Tucson.

"The discipline of it was kind of cool," the sophomore said about the program. "ROTC is like a family. We all get really close even when we are serious."

Stepanek's mom, Laura, said her son has blossomed as a cadet and student. "He was not at all organized," she said. "They cracked him into shape."

Stepanek intends to stay on track in hopes of being admitted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Also planning a military career after high school is senior Justien Owen. She intends to join the Marine Corps after graduation.

Right now, she is gaining experience as the commander of the unarmed drill team at Flowing Wells.

It was her responsibility to choreograph the unarmed exhibition routine she and nine others girls preformed last Saturday. The six- to eight-minute drill features hand motions and stomping.

Owen, 17, said preparing and competing aren't easy, but it will pay off.

"It's really going to help me when I get into the real military," she said. "I am going to be ahead of those who don't know what they are getting into."

Applying their skills in competitions helps the students, no matter what they intend to do in life. "The kids are able to develop self-esteem and discipline through competitions like this," De Witt said.

Still, the judges were asked to take it easy on the participants.

"We've asked them to tone it down a little bit," De Witt said. "But the kids need to know life isn't easy."