Local News - September 2003

ROTC holds first inspections at West

By SARAH GRANO, Staff Writer

————————————

Some students fidgeted, and some stood stiffly as Coast Guard Chief Bill Shipley looked them over during West Lincoln’s first ROTC uniform inspection.

“You’re teaching them to pay attention to detail, looking for the little things,” Shipley said.

Students had to have their shoes and belt buckles shining, and their clothes needed to have military creases.

“Everything has to be a certain way, absolutely everything, even the way you tie your shoes,” Shipley said.

For the first time ROTC students had to wear their uniforms for the entire day.

Some students say they were envied by their friends who want to join ROTC. Others had to put up with some good-natured teasing.

“People are kind of making fun of us,” said Sasha  Thompson, a sophomore. “They say things like ‘Get down and give me 50.’”

Because it was the students’ first inspection standards were not too high, said Shipley.

As the course progresses more will be expected out of the students.

 “Our shoes, you have to see yourself in them,” Thompson said.

“I was afraid I was going to have to do push ups because our clothing was wrong.”

The fear is a common one in ROTC classes. Two weeks after school started ROTC students were disciplined with exercise.

“Push-ups work for everything,” Shipley said. “Jumping jacks are also real effective.”

ROTC students shouldn’t bother giving excuses if their uniforms are unkempt, said Shipley.

The students had two days of class time to learn how to properly wear their uniform. Although they were prepared, being inspected was nerve wracking for many.

“The worst part is waiting to be inspected. Your arms go to sleep,” said Jonathan Haskins, a sophomore. “You don’t know how good you’re going to do.”

The students stood in formation as Shipley and Navy Lt. Cmdr. Karl Jordan came to check each person.

There were many mistakes made. Some students’ belt buckles were upside down. One girl had her hair braided, but not tucked under.

“Someone put her hair up before I get a heart attack,” Shipley said after the inspection. “I’m too old for this.”

From now on ROTC will have inspections every Wednesday.

—————

Staff Writer Sarah Grano can be reached at 704-735-3031 or sgrano@ltnews.com

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

Terms and Conditions