By PAT NEWMAN
Staff Writer

A JROTC program for Fayette County high school students may be a long time in coming, according to Dr. John DeCotis, Fayette County school superintendent.

The Fayette County School District is currently number 230 on the U.S. Department of Defense list for districts wanting Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps programs.

DeCotis' recommendation to hire a part-time consultant to jump-start the program was delayed until the board's Sept. 20 meeting. Board members Woody Shelnutt and Connie Hale said they thought free help could be found through Fort McPherson, or one of the district legislators' offices. “I don't see how a lobbyist can help us jump 230 spaces... I resent paying someone to do that kind of work,” Hale said. “We pay people in [Washington] D.C. to do this,” Shelnutt added.

“We felt we needed someone knowledgeable about the program,” said DeCotis. “They [government] don't give it to you all spelled out.”

Officials in the Clayton County ROTC hav avised Fayette officials that hiring a consultant is “the best way to go,” added DeCotis. “They won't start funding until we physically set up the program. It's a Catch 22. That's why it's taken so long to do this.”

Hale has supported starting an ROTC program since 1988. DeCotis anticipates at least two years before a JROTC program could be activated.

Board member Greg Powers said he is in favor of hiring someone to make the phone calls and “hound the offices” until some progress is made. Board member Mickey Littlefield said he had tried to make contacts in Washington to no avail.

“We're having a hard time getting answers. We're just going round and round, but I respectfully withdraw my recommendation,” DeCotis said.

Coweta County is in its seventh year of its JROTC program, which is administered by retired Marine Col. J.L. Ingram at East Coweta High School. He called the JROTC a “leadership education program” that enjoys “excellent support from the school.”

Ingram was quick to emphasize that JROTC is not a recruiting tool, but noted, “We do have a high percentage of seniors that stay in. Maybe 15 to 20 percent.” Ingram said the program also graduates at least “one talented kid” each year who is appointed to the Naval Academy or West Point.

“Our objective is to make them familiar with career opportunities,” Ingram said. His partner in the program is retired MSgt. John Skinner, who also serves as assistant athletic director of the school and coaches the rifle team.

Cost of the ROTC program is funded through the U.S. Marine Corps., and covers the students' uniforms and equipment. The school system provides the necessary space, and a portion of Skinner's and Ingram's salaries.

Block scheduling allows JROTC to mix its classes easily into the students' schedules. “We're an integral part of the school,” Ingram said. The curriculum includes Monday and Tuesday classes on everything from naval war strategy to personal hygiene, and drill on Wednesday, the one day of the week all JROTC members are in uniform.

Extracurricular activities may include riflery, using Olympic pellet rifles funded by the Marine Corps.

Ingram calls his approach to JROTC candidates “nurturing” and the classrooms “family type environments.” The typical JROTC participant, according to Ingram, has an SAT score around 1,100, is physically fit and is uncertain about attending college. “Some are late bloomers,” he added.

Timing was everything for Ingram and East Coweta teaming up to start the JROTC program in 1993. “The program itself got a big boost in the government from Gen. Colin Powell,” Ingram said, recalling the time when a lot of money was made available to military programs. Ingram was just retiring from active duty when he learned through the Marine pipeline that an ROTC opening was coming up in Newnan, and he jumped on it.

“It's a great job,” he said. He feels the program has a positive effect on its participants and gives them a “fresh view” in place of negativity. “We want to influence them toward the positive,” he said.