JROTC On The Chopping Block At East Valley High School

Young people aren't joining the armed forces like they used to. Over the last 10 years the U.S. military has faced a big challenge trying to recruit young people. One of the strongest areas where the military gains those who are ready to serve is high school JROTC units or Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps located in high schools all around the nation and here in Yakima.

THE PROGRAM AT EAST VALLEY HAS SERVED THE AREA FOR SOME 30-YEARS

According to Sarah Lowery-Deveny, the school Booster Club President plans are to cancel the program at East Valley High School next year. It's a program that's been going for some 30-years in the district. District officials were not available for comment but Lowery-Deveny says the announcement was made in an email sent to students this week.

RECRUITERS IN YAKIMA COULD FEEL THE PINCH

It could be a big blow to local recruiters if the program is cancelled because of a lack of participation. But it's no secret that young people aren't joining the military at the numbers they were years ago. In 2023 the U.S. military was 41,000 people short of the 2023 recruiting goal.

YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DOING OTHER THINGS RATHER THAN THINKING OF JOINING THE MILITARY 

What's the problem?
There's simply less interest in joining the military and many experts say the obesity epidemic is also a big challenge barring many young people from even considering joining a military service. The goal is the grow to some 500,000 by 2028 and they rely on programs like the JROTC to help. But some schools around the country have already shut down the programs or are planning to close them in the future. One of the programs threatened is at East Valley High School in Yakima.