Junior Julie Campbell strides onto the field dressed in her Air Force blues uniform, joining her class to form an impeccably straight line. Campbell is a cadet in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program. Earlier this year, Campbell’s dedication to JROTC nominated her to attend the annual Youth Leadership Conference, sponsored by the Military Order of the World Wars.
“Cadet Julie Campbell epitomizes our foundation of servant leadership,” said retired Chief Master Sgt. Al Clemmons, Campbell’s JROTC instructor. “She is kind, gracious, polite and respectful.”
During the conference, Campbell’s group was selected as the best overall team. On March 2, they each received the President Abraham Lincoln Award in recognition of their accomplishment.
“It was definitely shocking to receive the award,” Campbell said. “I was really happy during the last day of the [conference] because right after that we went home and I got to show the award to my family and friends.”
JROTC is designed to develop qualities like citizenship and responsibility in cadets, and it serves as preparation for students who wish to join the Air Force. Students in JROTC have in-class days where they learn about leadership, Air Force history and aerospace science. On most Fridays, cadets participate in physical training days where they march on the Chantilly High School football field and play team building games. Campbell, who has been in JROTC for the last two years, was inspired to join the program because of her parents’ history in the military.
“I grew up in New York and went to West Point [Military Academy] every summer,” Campbell said.
During the conference, Campbell’s group competed in activities to showcase their problem-solving and teambuilding skills.
“First, we took a math test and we scored first. Then we had to take a citizenship test, and we got third on that one,” Campbell said. “We had scavenger hunt [quizzes] at Jamestown and Yorktown, and we got second place on those.”
Before the end of the conference, Campbell’s team made a plan to improve their overall score and performance, which contributed to their team’s success.
“We knew that we needed to step up our game for the physical-based activity,” Campbell said. “We came up with a plan and a strategy for each [remaining event].”
Campbell has continued to receive recognition for her achievements in JROTC. The Sons of the American Revolution Award was presented to Campbell on March 6.
“The [Sons of the American Revolution] award is presented to a cadet who ranks highly both in Air Force Junior ROTC and their high school class,” Clemmons said. “In addition, the recipient must demonstrate qualities of dependability and good character, adherence to military discipline and possess leadership ability.”
Campbell serves as a mentor to other cadets in the program.
“Julie is a great person and leader,” said junior Marjorie Coffman, a JROTC cadet. “Last year, Julie was a deputy flight commander, which means she helped our flight commander [lead the class]. She helped everyone stand out and be more outgoing. In class, Julie always speaks up and helps others.”
JROTC is important to Campbell because she hopes to serve her country as best as she can.
“I [have] always wanted to protect my country,” Campbell said. “It’s just always been a dream of mine.”
After graduating next year, Campbell hopes to attend a military academy.
“I have always [wanted] to attend any type of university with ROTC or a service academy,” Campbell said. “I want to pursue being in the military—Air Force or Army—and I want to be an officer.”
Campell’s strength of character and her motivation will be key to success in her future.
“Cadet Campbell is a servant leader [who] uses her position as a senior cadet to serve others by helping them find the best versions of themselves,” Clemmons said. “[She] is capable of pursuing any walk of life she chooses.”
