Lorelei Mitchell has been with JROTC for all four years of high school, starting with the rifle team and working her way up the ranks gradually. For her final year, she has reached the rank of battalion commander.
The Memorial Messenger sat down with Mitchell before Friday’s senior night to ask her some questions about her loyalty to JROTC, things she’s learned through the years and some of the things that are most important to her.
Q: Why have you been in JROTC for so long?
A: So my fun story about my JROTC. Originally, I joined to be on the rifle team, we had a very strong one at Rider. I wanted to be able to shoot during school hours. I didn’t expect to get past the rank of baton corporal. I then became a staff sergeant my sophomore year. I walk in junior year, Sergeant Major (Salvador Montez) is like, “Hey you’re the highest one in here, you’re now company commander. Are you going to the staff board?” I was like, “the what board?” That was when it was like “OK, I’m the (staff one) now, I’m the deputy now, and then the battalion commander” and I can’t leave now.
Q: What do you want to accomplish your senior year and why?
A: I would like to help build our program up. We got it started, which is the hardest part, but now I need to focus on JROTC. Like helping us get funding to be able to do the things we want to do and helping us get a more smooth flow of class time. It’s just making sure to get these traditions in place. I just want to leave this school better than I found it.
Q: What will you miss the most once you leave JROTC?
A: There’s a lot I’m going to miss. Mostly it’s about the people, it’s hard to leave behind the people.
Q: What have you learned as a member of JROTC?
A: A lot in the way of life skills. In JROTC you learn how to balance a budget, how to file your taxes and what drives your train. There is so much that you learn. One of the most important things I learned was how to do military-styled leadership because that’s going to be important to me in my future.
Q: How have you changed since your freshman year and why?
A: I am a whole lot more outgoing. You can ask just about anyone. I’m also way more involved in school things.
Q: What is special to you about JROTC?
A: The rifle team is near and dear to my heart because I helped found that baby last year and I’m going to help keep it going this year. Once again, it’s also the people. You meet these people and you get to watch them grow. That’s the most important part of JROTC, it’s the connections you build.
Q: What is the best thing from JROTC so far this year?
A: The best thing from JROTC this year is finally getting the supply room organized and finally having all the female cadet uniforms.
