After a short break Air Force Junior ROTC is back up and running with two new instructors who bring years of military experience to benefit our students.
Chief Master Sgt. James Ponziano and Sgt. Karen Allen have led the cadets in a variety of activities, including drill team, the Raiders program, and many community service projects. They recently bought back the annual Military Ball to honor the cadets accomplishments.
CMSgt. Ponziano says that being in the military changed his life.
“I started as a 19-year-old kid without much to offer,” he said, “and the military provided me with opportunities that eventually developed me into a professional aviator and original leader.”
“I came into the service with very little to offer other than an able mind, a willing heart and I left with two associates degrees, a bachelor’s degree health care and pension for the rest of my life, friends around the world and a lifetime of experiences,” he said.
In the Air Force, he had the opportunity to travel to more than 50 countries and 42 states.
“I served in the United States Air Force for 21 years and 7 months as a Loadmaster on the C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III, and the C-130J Super Hercules. I also spent time as a Team Chief in the Contingency Response Wing and an instructor at the United States Air Force Expeditionary Operations School.”
After earning his Associates and Bachelor degrees he spent time in Afghanistan and Iraq.
CMSgt. Ponziano says the JROTC will help students reach their full potential.
“We follow the Air Force Core Values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. In addition to those values, the Cadet Corps at MHS has the Corps values: hungry, humble and kind,” he said. “As a team, we live these values every day and strive to become better versions of ourselves through drill, physical training and academic coursework in both Aerospace Science and Leadership Education.
“In JROTC, we work hard to reach our goals, so no matter what your goal is, JROTC can help you achieve it.”
CMSgt. Ponziano is happy to be at MHS. He said he fell in love with teaching when he was an Instructor at the U.S. Expeditionary Operations School.
“In that position I taught various classes and students earned college credit for the Community College of the Air Force (a regionally accredited school under Air University). That experience combined with leading young men and women for over a decade set a solid foundation to teach today’s youth.”
Along with CMSgt. Ponziano, MHS gained another experienced leader, Sgt. Allen. She says that joining the military was a great decision.
“After I left college, the job market was dried up. So I decided to join the Air Force. And that worked out really well for me. I was able to retire when I was 42.”
She believes that JROTC helps students learn organization and self-discipline.
“Whatever their path is, most of them probably are not going to join the military, but having the ability to police yourself, to make sure that you’re doing the things we’re supposed to be doing without anyone having to tell you to do it. Life is just going to be so much easier, and 90 percent of our cadets buy into it.”
She said that if you want to join the military, make sure you do some researchers.
“If you want to join and get away from home, that’s fine. You can do that. If you want to join for college reasons, you can do that, too,” she said. “Whatever your reason is, know what it is, and then research whatever branch fits you best.”
Sophomore Alani Calvillo says she wants to join the Air Force and serve our country. She’s excited that the program is back and she likes what the new teachers have to offer.
“They bring a lot of positivity,” Alani said, “and a lot of new things. Their experiences, and they’ve been to a lot of places.”
