Military dad proposes  local Junior ROTC program

A former Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and proud military dad is working to establish a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program in Coeur d'Alene.

Russell McLain announced the plan during a League of Women Voters meeting Monday at the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Station 3, asking for guidance and support from the nonpartisan organization that may be able to help.

"I came hat in hand," he said. "I want to start a junior ROTC program in our school districts, for no other benefit than to give a kid a chance to see professionalism."

The Coeur d'Alene School District does not have JROTC in any of its high schools. The federal program, sponsored by the Armed Forces, gives students the opportunity to participate in military activities such as marching, drill competitions and marksmanship while they build character and a deeper sense of citizenship and community service.

"It builds a lot of structure and a lot of discipline, and it looks good on a college application," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Purcell, who attended the meeting.

McLain is seeking people who are willing to take the time to establish some sort of JROTC crew that will configure just how to get the program into the local high schools. The only JROTC in North Idaho is in Kellogg; it serves students from Kellogg, Mullan and Kootenai.

"I help organize programs, I think it could be a really good subject," said League of Women Voters member Jessica Mahuron. "All it takes is someone at least organizing a program to educate the public."

Sgt. Jesse Lorhan instructs the ROTC military science classes at North Idaho College. He said no one has signed up for the military science classes this semester because people are just not aware they exist.

"The word is not out," he said. "There isn't really a push. I think a lot of that is because there is no Junior ROTC in the high schools here."

Coeur d'Alene School District spokesman Scott Maben said it has been quite a few years since the district had JROTC, but the district would be open to ideas on reviving it.

"I think the district's always willing to consider when someone comes to us from the community with a recommendation," Maben said. "We’re open to ideas and willing to listen."

Contact McLain at russmclain@gmail.com to help establish a JROTC in the Coeur d'Alene area.