U.S. Navy Commander (Ret.) Joe Hankins speaks to freshman Mawa Toure (left) during this year’s Annual Military Inspection of Mooseheart’s Naval Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps. (Mooseheart photo)

As U.S. Navy Commander (Ret.) Joe Hankins worked his way through Mooseheart’s Naval Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (NJROTC) company during last month’s Annual Military Inspection, he found a seemingly never-ending list of things to mention.

He pointed toward shoes that needed fresh polishing, noted placement of insignia and medals that needed to be improved. He even noted a mark on a shirt from what appeared to be an iron that had been left in one spot a bit too long.

But when he finished his review for the first time as NJROTC Area Three Manager, Hankins said he was pleased with what he saw.

“I’m always very impressed when a company of cadets standing before me in their uniforms, and wearing that uniform with pride,” Hankins said. “I got a sense that they’re proud of who they are and that they are proud of what they represent.”

NJROTC is mandatory for all Mooseheart high school students, and Hankins said he’s aware that some students would prefer to not participate, though that did not stop them from fulfilling the requirements of the inspection or the drill ceremony which followed.

“Every one of them was very respectful,” Hankins said. “They were very much ready for the inspection. One thing I saw is that, even those individuals who do not want to be involved in the program, the fixes were small. I want them to remember that when they put on the uniform, they represent something more than themselves.”

There has been a military component to education at Mooseheart almost since its 1913 inception. The Mooseheart Cadet Corps was founded in 1916, and the military portion of education went through many changes until 1974, when the school became NJROTC-affiliated.

“The commitment from the Moose and Mooseheart to support the program is appreciated,” Hankins said. “The core values for the Navy are Honor, Courage and Commitment. The Navy’s committed to Mooseheart and Mooseheart is committed to the program.”

In brief remarks to the company and audience, Hankins reinforced that the purpose of the NJROTC is not to recruit students to join the Navy or any branch of the military. Though the students may not see it currently, he said there are likely to be moments in future years where their participation in the program will prove helpful.

“I go back to those core values, and they can tap into those values in their day-to-day lives,” Hankins said. “During challenging times, those core values will help them. I’ve lived those core values throughout my Navy career, and those three words can be very powerful.”

Combined with the springtime Military Ball and the May Change of Command, the Annual Military Inspection is one of the key points in the Mooseheart NJROTC calendar.

“I think there is a core group of cadets who take the program seriously,” Mooseheart lead instructor U.S. Navy Warrant Officer (Ret.) Rick Smith said. “You could see that in the drill, where we had those most-committed students performing. I don’t know if I’ll ever be satisfied with how we perform. But they did a good job.

Working alongside Smith is U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. (Ret.) Ruben Hinton, who worked with Mooseheart’s company before and during the inspection to perform its best.

“It’s not just how they look,” Smith said. “We’re here to build their character in everything they do. If some of them aren’t up to their potential, it makes me want to work harder so they get better.”

—  Mooseheart NJROTC sparkles and annual military inspection —