1st ever ROTC cadets at Miss. JC

ELLISVILLE – Ten cadets will become the inaugural class of a 2-year Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program here at Jones County Junior College. JCJC President Jesse Smith and Maj. Gen. Augustus Collins, adjutant general of the Mississippi National Guard, signed agreements Aug. 18 allowing the National Guard to offer accredited military classes. JCJC is the only community college in Mississippi to have an ROTC program on campus, but it won’t be the last. There are plans to start similar programs at Pearl River, Hinds, Holmes, East Mississippi and Northeast Mississippi community colleges next January. After graduation from JCJC, cadets can transition into a third-year ROTC program. There are some 800 ROTC cadets at the University of Southern Mississippi, Jackson State, Alcorn State, Mississippi State and Ole Miss. (Source: Hattiesburg American 08/18/14) Golden Triangle Note: Hinds Community College offers academic instruction in aviation maintenance and technology; and Holmes CC offers aviation management course work.