Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps; Peer Pressure Deflecter

What defines peer pressure? To a regular teen, peer pressure is an overly used phrase, used by adults to explain their actions. To a Junior Reserve Officer Corps, or JROTC, cadet, peer pressure is an obstacle we overcome at the early stages of the program. By using our core abilities, each cadet learns the basics of being a better citizen in society. In those core abilities, cadets learn morals and are individualized from the teenage stereotype; something peer pressure plays a great role in.

Individuality is crucial in the development of a teenager as they become adults. Though most would not admit, a teenager's beliefs and opinions are vulnerable like an unsupervised child. Like any scientist, teenagers make mistakes, but as social scientists we all learn to test many proposals in hopes to gain positive results.

High school students, especially in urban areas, are found to be rebellious and one in a crowd of many. One goal taught through the JROTC program is to deflect peer pressure. Our main core abilities for the deflection of peer pressure are to apply critical thinking techniques, treat self and others with respect, and take responsibility for your actions and choices.

Unlike regular students, JROTC cadets refuse to be influenced by negative views or actions. Almost like in a U.S. Army commercial, JROTC cadets are an army of one, one who cannot be guided down the “yellow brick road” to the land of peer pressure. By using the core abilities taught through the JROTC program, deflecting peer pressure is as easy as saying “Hoorah!”

Now, I'm not saying that JROTC is the only peer pressure deflector, but it is beneficial for those without a solution. I am merely saying that it has helps thousands of students with their journey through high school and after graduation. The JROTC goal, is to create better citizens, not great soldiers for war. As a Staff Sergeant in the Blue Wave Battalion in Providence, RI, I speak from experience when I say that it has helped me, and other students stand strong rather than fall under peer pressure.