JROTC program passes white glove inspection with flying colors

Not so long ago, Harrison County’s JROTC program was in trouble. There were only about 50 kids; a viable program should have at least 70. A major inspection garnered a score of “below average.”

“We were in danger of getting closed,” said Sgt. Major Rodney Fortner.

Fast forward five years. The program boasts around 100 students and a recent “white glove, headquarters-style inspection” earned a coveted “exceeds standards” score and was also named a distinguished unit with merit.

Fortner said the inspection predominately evaluates the students, who gave presentations. The inspector stays all day, looking at the program’s activities, different teams, and how the cadet staff works. Cadets also performed a 30-step drill sequence.

Harrison County’s JROTC has been a distinguished unit with merit 28 times, but this is only the third time that distinguished unit and exceeds standards were both earned at once. The other years were 1998 and 2008.

Speaking of history, Harrison County’s JROTC is the second oldest in Kentucky. “Bryan Station’s got a year on us,” Fortner said.

The first JROTC unit in the nation was started in 1966. Harrison’s started in 1970.

The program is registered as KY051. The “05” means the unit was started in JROTC’s fifth year of existence nationally. The “1” means it was the first unit that year.

JROTC is an elective. Contrary to what many believe, however, it is not just for military-bound students.

“It’s not a first and foremost military school,” Fortner said. Yes, students wear their uniforms to school every Tuesday, but he maintains that it’s an exercise in detail.

“The reality is most never join the military.”

Fortner said the program’s key mission is to develop citizens of character devoted to their community. JROTC teaches self discipline and civics. Students learn how to do such things as vote, file taxes, and make a budget.

He describes the makeup of the program as a melting pot. It includes students from Nicholas and Bourbon Counties as well as Paris Independent.

The program is visible and active in the community. They do close to 60 color guards for ball games, and they participate in Veterans Day celebrations.

In addition to the successful Raider Team, they have an academic team that competes nationally. There’s also a remote control plane project students can participate in.

“We try to offer something every kid can participate in and enjoy,” Fortner explained.

The unit has several upcoming events:

- On April 20, they will be hosting a 5K Heroes Run at the Cynthiana-Harrison County Airport.

- On April 23 they will have their annual awards ceremony.

- On April 27 they will host a full Raider event with 14 schools from Ohio and Kentucky attending.

Fortner laughed, saying he works more now than when he was in active duty.

Fortner came to Harrison County in 2018 after retiring from the air force. He and his family moved here from Albaquerque, New Mexico.

He loves the rural small-town atmosphere and being able to walk downtown on foot.

His wife Carla owns Appalachian Root Works. Daughter Jenny is currently a senior and involved in JROTC.

Son Logan is in the Army National Guard.