FHS JROTC Cadets Learn Leadership Skills

As the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, members of the Franklin High Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) Admiral Battalion are preparing the next generation of student leaders.

FHS JROTC cadets recently participated in Operation Legacy 250, a three-day trip that gave students the opportunity to work together, overcome challenges and strengthen relationships as a leadership team.

"This was much more than a trip," said retired Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Moore, Senior Army Instructor for Franklin High Army JROTC. "We wanted our cadets to understand that leadership is about character, teamwork, service and taking care of one another. As our country celebrates 250 years, we are challenging our cadets to think about the responsibility they have to help lead America into its next 250 years."

The cadets' leadership experience began before ever leaving Franklin. In preparation for Operation Legacy 250, students volunteered their time to support a campus clean-up and parking lot numbering project at the school. Cadet Majors Satchel Waddell and Oliver McTavish assisted as student leaders.

"The service project provided an important lesson," said Moore. "Leadership begins by taking care of the organization and community you serve. Their work provided another opportunity for students to see leadership move from the classroom into real-world application."