Marching band music filled the Jetnasium as DIS celebrated a significant milestone in its leadership development efforts with the first Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) induction ceremony on Nov. 5. DIS inductees, Daegu Middle and High School (DMHS) veteran cadets, Korean military marching band members and government officials participated in the event as fellow students and parents supported from the stands.  

The program began with junior Aiden Huh, whose interest in military training inspired him to bring JROTC to campus. “JROTC is a leadership program for middle and high school students interested in joining the military. It teaches discipline, leadership, and character,” said Huh.

At the same time, head of school, Mr. Jolly, worked alongside Huh to organize DIS’s debut in the program. “I spoke with representatives of Korea’s JROTC. They had been trying to work with different international schools in Korea, but haven’t been able to yet, so they were excited to welcome DIS as the first JROTC international school chapter,” said Mr. Jolly.

With the chapter approved, DIS prepared a ceremony that aligned with JROTC’s military tradition and formality. “Becuase it is so structured, we had to focus heavily on preparing uniforms and contacting students,” said Mr. Jolly.

To ensure an authentic experience, DIS invited cadets from DMHS’s JROTC unit. “We assisted DIS by providing a solid foundation of JROTC by having a small induction ceremony…to better introduce it to the student body,” said senior Olivia Buettner, a sergeant S-5.

The insight allowed for a more realistic experience. “They taught us how to walk, how to stand, how to do the oath, and how to do the flag ceremonies. We wanted to make sure that we did the induction ceremony in a respectful and correct manner. It was a very unique experience for our students because they don’t get to interact often with different members from the U.S. military base or from the military in general.” said Mr. Jolly. 

For inductee junior Mihini Edirisinghe, the program offered an opportunity to pursue her ambition. “My biggest dream is to get into the military and become a military doctor or join the special task force,” she said.

JROTC allowed her to establish strong foundational habits early. “We get to learn a lot of the basics, like how to salute properly. I also learned about physical and mental discipline, growing my patience and physical strength,” said Edirisinghe.

Members not only gained strength, but also built character. “[JROTC] allows students to become better citizens and learn to respect one another through the discipline that they receive from the program. It has proven to improve overall grades, confidence, and social interactions,” said Buettner.

Mr. Jolly also highlighted the program’s broader mission. “This program [shows] students that leadership can be expressed in many different ways. Sometimes people are quiet leaders. Sometimes people are strong, forceful leaders. Just because you’re one type of individual doesn’t mean you won’t be a successful leader,” said Mr. Jolly.

With confidence in the future, students and administrators hope to see momentum build for the new chapter. “We aim to be involved with students from Daegu Middle High School for our future events, and maybe even a number of public schools in Daegu that are also involved in the JROTC,” said Mr. Jolly.

As the program moves forward, leaders hope to expand its reach and deepen its impact across campuses. “I hope that in the future DMHS can collaborate with DIS for the Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) event. I think it’ll be a fun and new experience for [DIS students] to survive in the wilderness for a week,” said Buettner. 

With the induction ceremony complete, DIS stands as the first international school in Korea to establish a JROTC chapter, setting the stage for continued growth and leadership development. “I hope to attract hardworking students who seek to contribute to their community and are eager to participate in physical activities. Through our experience this year, I hope that DIS’s JROTC will cement its legacy for years to come,” said Huh.

Gallery • 5 Photos

Jack Lee

DMHS Cadets confidently march during the flag ceremony. With every step, they honor the inauguration of DIS's JROTC chapter.