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KILLEEN, Texas — Barriers are generally meant to keep what's in
in and what's out, out. The gates surrounding any military
installation are meant to provide security and limit post access to
authorized individuals.
But Soldiers are figuratively
tearing down the barrier between the military and the surrounding
cities. In fact, some military units are partnered with not only
those cities, but also their schools to form a working relationship,
so the citizens, children and Soldiers can become one community.
The Adopt-A-School program connects a local school to a unit on
post. This allows the Army to contribute time and resources to the
schools in order to nurture intellectual, emotional, social, and
physical growth of the children. In turn, this increases the
awareness of the Army's mission and fosters good relations.
The 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment and 215th Brigade Support
Battalion helped their adopted schools with multiple events May 29
at both Shoemaker High School and Bellaire Elementary School here
respectively.
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Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team,1st Cavalry Division watch a flag football game at Shoemaker High School during a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps organizational day at Killeen, Texas, May 29,
2015. About 20 1-12 Cav. Soldiers spent the day at the school to help out where they were needed in support of the Adopt-A-School program. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Banzhaf, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division)
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“The role of the Soldiers being out here is to help
facilitate all of the events and work with the cadre to make
sure everything runs smoothly,” said 2nd Lt. Jason Huggy, a
Chicago native and battalion medical service officer for
1-12 Cav. “We are also here to motivate the cadets, to make
sure they have a good time, and to show our support for our
community.”
At Shoemaker High School, Huggy and a platoon of 1-12 Cav medics volunteered
to help facilitate an organizational day, or a day filled
with various sports and activities, for 273 Junior Reserve
Officer Training Corps cadets.
“It builds
camaraderie, enthusiasm, motivation, and esprit de corps
through athletic events,” said Morris Knight, a Montgomery,
Alabama, native and an Army JROTC instructor at Shoemaker
High School. “The same type of things we are used to in the
military, we try to instill that into the students.”
With Soldiers helping to set up the events, acting as
referees, and cheering on the students competing in athletic
events, some of the cadets took notice.
“To me, it's
like we are mini-Soldiers, so it's nice to see a real-life
Soldier in action helping us out,” said Ashontaye Gadson, a
Shreveport, Louisiana, native and the JROTC student
battalion commander. “It's nice to see the faces of the
people who inspire us.”
Meanwhile, across town
Bellaire Elementary School was hosting a kickball game
between the 5th graders and their teachers. The 215th BSB
showed up to help the school ensure the kids were safe, and
some even played alongside the children - providing their
team with a little more power.
“A lot of the
students out here love to see the Soldiers come by and
help,” said Staff Sgt. Jessica Vereen, a Mobile, Alabama
native, career counselor and Adopt-a-School representative
for 215th BSB. “We are always busy, but I don't mind taking
a couple of hours to come out and help these kids keep
smiles on their faces.”
Vereen has been bringing
Soldiers to the school's events since the beginning of the
school year.
At this event, hundreds of students
from various grade levels surrounded the field to cheer on
their fellow classmates. When the 5th graders needed help,
the Soldiers stepped in to assist them - whether it was
fetching the ball or helping tag the teachers out to prevent
runs.
“The Adopt-A-School program is about building
cohesion between the military and the community,” Vereen
said. “If your unit needs something, get out there and say
‘I'm ready to volunteer.'”
By U.S. Army Sgt. Brandon Banzhaf
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
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