Ruth Kent, training officer, Pamela Gilreath, administrating officer, Damon Hairston, executive officer, Stacey Kehoe, commanding officer, and Garren Gilreath NSCC and Jordan Kent, NSCC take a minute to pose during drill.After the dismissal bell rings on Wednesday afternoon, some students return to the classroom donning a military uniform and prepare to take another test.
As a member of the new Hurricane Division of the Naval Sea Cadets Corps, Garren Gilreath, a freshman at East Hamilton High School, said he’s prepared for that test – the Basic Military Requirement test.
“I’ve always been interested in the military, whether it was seeing it in movies or knowing my ancestors were a part of the armed services,” he said. “And this program not only helps me get there … it teaches me discipline, respect and I make decisions quicker now.”
The Hurricane Division of the Naval Sea Cadets Corps started this fall at East Hamilton Middle/High School after years of prodding by Commanding Officer Stacy Kehoe. She also leads a division on Signal Mountain, another school without a JROTC program.
“This program is really a good alternative to the JROTC,” she said. “A lot of schools don’t have the funding or the ability to have those programs. It’s my goal to make it available for students who want to get involved but aren’t at a school where it’s available.”
Right now the group meets once a month after school and on Saturdays to complete drills in which the Sea Cadets are trained and tested in a variety of areas. Military tests and skills earned through the Sea Cadets program can transfer with the student if he or she chooses to join the Navy, Kehoe said.
Though based at the school, the group is open to students in the community ages 10-17. Kehoe and student Gilreath, along with Sea Cadet member Jordan Kent, said they hope to encourage more area students to join.
Gilreath and Kent transferred from a division in Nashville to the Hurricane Division, which is now closer to home, bringing with them the skills they’ve already learned.
“If you’re interested in joining the military I highly advise this program,” Gilreath said. “I really like being a part of it and being prepared.”