Established at the beginning of the 2000-2001 school year, the program is structured in a military format and provides student cadets with leadership skills. There is no obligation to join the Navy once a student graduates from Yough.
'We currently have 40 cadets,' said Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Robert Tinsley. 'This is a four-year program that includes Naval Science I, II, III and IV.'
Those students who meet the standards of the program can get involved in the program, Tinsley said.
'The guys have to cut their hair and can't wear earrings,' he added.
Tinsley, who was raised in Arona, served his first naval combat cruise to Southeast Asia aboard the attack aircraft carrier, USS Constellation in 1968. He has also served as a recruiter in Greensburg and Ohio and was named National Enlisted Recruiter in 1976 and National Nuclear Officer Recruiter of the Year in 1981.
He began teaching the junior ROTC program in Ohio in 1994 and moved back to the area to start the program at Yough. In the nearly 10 months spent with the Yough cadets, Tinsley is rightfully proud of their accomplishments.
'The cadets did quite well this year in competitions,' he said. 'Our cadets were involved in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedication last year and we did a flag presentation.'
The cadets compete against other high school ROTC cadets in color guard and drills. The Yough cadets proved themselves in all competitions, receiving numerous second- and third-place finishes. In addition, the cadets were able to go on different field trips this year to learn firsthand about the military.
'We took the cadets to see the movie, 'Men of Honor,' which was historically accurate,' said Tinsley. 'We went to Wright Patterson Air Force Base for a special class and to the Coast Guard Cleveland facility where the cadets took part in Coast Guard activities and went out on a Coast Guard rescue boat.'
'When we take them to an actual military facility, the cadets get to see firsthand about the military,' he added. 'It really emphasizes what we're doing in class. And the cadets get an idea of all the branches of the military and what they do.'
Cadet Ensign Erick Holmes, a junior at Yough, is the program's public affairs officer, photography officer and a journalist. He works as the editor of Attention on Deck! the official newsletter of the Yough Navy Junior ROTC.
He admitted that he joined the ROTC on a lark.
'It was an experiment. It was a different type of classroom than the other classrooms at school,' said Holmes, the son of Scott and Tammie Holmes of Smithton. 'I've stuck with it because I enjoy it. It's a very hands-on classroom, very involved. It makes me feel that I'm actually doing something in class.'
Since enrolling in ROTC, Holmes' family and friends tell him they see a difference in him.
'They say I'm more accountable for my actions now,' he said. 'They've also said the way I stand and walk is different, too.'
Holmes said he wants to join the Navy after college.
'The Navy will pay for most of, if not all of my tuition,' he added.
Journalism or graphic arts beckon Holmes, as does Villanova University, near Philadelphia.
As an ROTC cadet, upon graduating Yough next year, Holmes will have earned the rank of cadet lieutenant junior grade. Although the Yough cadets receive no payment for their endeavors, college ROTC cadets are given an allowance in addition to stipends for tuition and books.
For Yough junior, Cadet Petty Officer 2nd Class Brittany Van Dyke, the Navy has always interested her.
She serves as the program's assistant supply officer, photographic officer and team coordinator.
'The ROTC offers more in the way of learning. You can achieve more goals in the ROTC,' said Van Dyke.
When she joined the program, Van Dyke said she was a C average student. The biggest change she has seen since her involvement in ROTC is in her grades.
'My grades got better and I'm more responsible. I do a lot more activities now. It mostly helped my grades,' she said. 'Now I'm an A-B student.'
Van Dyke, the daughter of Mary Ann and Bryan Van Dyke of Ruffsdale, isn't sure about her future plans, but said she'd like to get into recruiting.
'I'm hoping to go back and help Master Chief Tinsley teach the new cadets in military science,' she said.
Tinsley stressed how enthusiastic his cadets are, especially the female cadets.
'You wanna talk about raising the level of self-esteem. The girls really take to this program. They come in here searching for a place to belong and they come into this program and they excel,' he said. 'In our program, there is no limitation.'
Cadet Ensign Alanna Konat, cadet chaplain, national anthem singer and academic team commander is an ardent supporter and participant of the ROTC.
'I joined because a lot of my friends were joining. We wanted to try something new,' said Konat of Ruffsdale.
About five of her friends joined the ROTC at the beginning of the school year. Only two, including Konat, remained in the program.
'I like the fact that we get to try out the things we've learned firsthand. If we are learning about naval aviation, we go to a naval base. If we are learning about ship construction then we go to a naval yard and see how things work,' she said.
'My ROTC classes are very disciplined. It's nice that we get to run the program. We have jobs to do and we get to run certain parts of the program. It really is our unit. Master Chief Tinsley and Capt. (George) McInchock oversee us,' Konat added.
The cadets' schedule could be considered grueling.
'On Tuesday and Thursday, we have academics. On Monday and Wednesday, we have our drills and Friday we have our physical fitness training,' said Konat.
Wednesdays, the cadets come to school in their full military uniforms.
Konat wants to continue with ROTC and plans on going into the Navy.
'I would like to go to the Naval Academy or to a college with an ROTC program,' she said.
Her goal of pursuing a career in music could be her key to seeing the world.
'I could get into the Navy Band or other specialty music group. They tour the world and get paid for it,' she said.
Konat already has a head start in music. She has played the alto saxophone since fifth grade and is currently in the Yough Cougar Band. She is also a member of the high school chorus.
Her parents, Marie and John Konat, were at first puzzled by her desire to excel in ROTC.
'Then I became more involved in it and my parents watched us perform in different competitions,' said Konat. 'Now they think it's really neat.'
So neat, in fact, that her mother, who volunteered as a chaperone for the cadets this year, got the opportunity to drive a 40-foot Coast Guard cutter.
As seniors in the 2001-2002 school year, Holmes, Van Dyke and Konat, among others, will have the opportunity to travel to the naval air station in San Diego, Calif., to tour Tinsley's old stomping grounds, the USS Constellation. The cadets will also begin studying military history, starting with Dec. 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor.
