“The material is not what I’m concerned with,” he said.

Instead, Ordonez wants his JROTC students to learn important life lessons of leadership, responsibility, discipline and honesty.

During the first semester of the class, Ordonez has his students take a personality test so he can learn more about them. Then, he does a lot of observing.

"I watch them,” Ordonez said. “If I know who they truly are, I can actually help them and relate to them better.”

The program, which is an elective class, is not funded by the army or the school district. It relies strictly on donations from other schools for uniforms and equipment.

Ordonez said its hard for the program to sustain in middle schools because the instructors can only teach at this level for two years before they are required to move up to high school. Ordonez wants to change that.

Ordonez loves his job because of the success stories — he has seen kids turn their attitude around.

“It’s the little things,” he said. “When they do the right things (that I taught them) in another class, that’s what is rewarding.”

One such example is eighth-grader Elena Avila, who said what the class has taught her most is respect.

“I behave way better at home,” Avila said. “I have also learned honor, leadership and how to help others.”

Avila, who started in the program last year, is now Student Council President and leader of the Cadets. She is exploring the option of going into the Navy someday.

JROTC student duties include the school’s morning announcements and putting the flags up every morning. Ordonez said the class lesson plans also include studying holidays so students know the reason behind each celebration, as well as field training and first aid.

MORE INFO

For more information on J.L. Long’s JROTC program, go to dallasisd.org/schools/ms/long/electives.html.

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