History
The Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) Program at Pearl High School, Pearl, Mississippi was established in 1986.
The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Units for all military services were authorized by the Reserve Officers Vitalization Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-647 of 13 October 1964 – Title 10, U.S.C. Chapter 102). Department of Defense Directive 1205.13 of June 16, 1982, requires the military service secretaries to “Sponsor and conduct a JROTC Program”. Each of the services currently supports active programs in schools across the country and some overseas locations.
This is a very low-cost elective for the student (Cadet). A Cadet has no military or financial obligation (other than incidental expenses such as haircuts, uniform cleaning, and some field trip expenses) as a result of participating in the NJROTC course in high school.
The NJROTC Program goals are to instill in high school students the values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment. These goals are met by teaching specific objectives based on the core values of the United States Navy: HONOR, COURAGE, and COMMITMENT. The full list of objectives can be found in the following instructions: Escambia High School Cadet Handbook and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), OPNAVINST 1533.5C, and CNETINST 1533.9K. All instructions are linked on this website for your viewing convenience.
The Senior Naval Science Instructors (SNSI/NSI) shall perform those duties pursuant to current regulations, policies, and procedures as established by Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) and the host school. The SNSI also reports to the Navy Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NJROTC) area manager for administrative and logistical support. Under the general supervision of the high school principal, the Senior Naval Science Instructor will provide student cadets with instruction and leadership; oversee program implementation and development; act as a liaison between the program, school, parents, and the community to promote the objectives, values, and goals of the NSTC. The Naval Science Instructors are also responsible for the requisition, maintenance, and storage of equipment, uniforms, weapons, and training supplies. The job has some budget and administrative responsibilities, and instructors are required to report on progress and logistics. Instructors must also ensure that they keep up-to-date with changes in the U.S. Navy and that they attend relevant naval or instruction training courses. Instructors work with feeder schools to recruit future candidates into their units, and counsel and mentor their cadets, helping them to identify and meet their college or career objectives.
Instructors
Lieutenant Commander David D. Jefferson (USN, Ret)
Former Maintenance Material Management Officer
LCDR David Jefferson was born and raised in Walnut Grove, MS. In 1993, he enlisted in the Navy and reported to Basic Training and Seaman Apprenticeship Training at Great Lakes, Illinois. After completion training, he was off to his first command, USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57) home ported in San Diego, California. He became a Damage Controlman and served onboard from August, 1993 to July, 1998, deploying twice to the Persian Gulf ISO Operation Southern Watch.
After completing Senior Enlisted Damage Control training in 2001, he reported to USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) home ported in Yokosuka, Japan deploying twice to the Persian Gulf ISO ENDURING and IRAQI FREEDOM. In 2009, he was selected as a Surface Engineering Limited Duty Officer (LDO), was commissioned in February and his first commissioned sea tours included a tour as the Main Propulsion Assistant onboard the USS RAMAGE (DDG 61) and Damage Control Assistant onboard USS Oak Hill (LSD 51). In March 2015, he reported as the Chief Engineer to the Pre-commissioning Unit Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Crew 206 which later EMBARKED on USS CORONADO (LCS 4), USS JACKSON (LCS 6), USS GABRIELLE GIFFORD (LCS 10), USS OMAHA (LCS 12), USS INDEPENDENCE (LCS 2) and USS MANCHESTER (LCS 14) respectively, Inspector with BOARD OF INSPECTION AND SURVEY (INSURV) and lastly, Maintenance Material Management Officer onboard USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH (CVN 77).
Ashore LCDR Jefferson served the Recruiter-in-Charge at Navy Recruiting Station Alexandria, Navy Recruiting District New Orleans, Louisiana where he was initiated as a Chief Petty Officer. He later served as Officer-In-Charge, Training Safety Officer and Lead High Risk Damage Control &Firefighter Instructor while earning his Master Training Specialist (MTS) at Surface Warfare Officer School Learning Site Yokosuka, Japan in May 2005. He also received his Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Protection Engineering from Thomas Edison University in 2012.
LCDR Jefferson’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (5 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (5 awards), Good Conduct Medal (5 awards) and various other unit and personal awards.
Master Chief Robert Vontoure (USN, Ret)
Former Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department Leading Chief Petty Officer
Master Chief Robert “Paco” Vontoure, a native of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, enlisted in the United States Navy on August 28, 1995. Following completion of basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, he then completed Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) A-School in Millington, Tennessee and Consolidated Automated Support System (CASS) C-School in San Diego, California. He reported to his first tour of duty onboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). His fleet assignments include NAS JRB Ft. Worth, USS BATAAN (LHD-5), Mid-Atlantic Calibration Center (MARCC), USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN-75), and Center for Naval Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Oceana. His final tour was onboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) where he served as Departmental Leading Chief Petty Officer (DLCPO). Master Chief Vontoure qualified as an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS), Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS), Information Dominance Warfare (IW), and Master Training Specialist (MTS). Master Chief Vontoure completed five major deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, and one tour in Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Notable Awards: His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards), the Navy Good Conduct Medal (9 awards) as well as various other unit and campaign awards.