MBHS COAST GUARD JROTC

2025-2026 Instructors:

LCDR John Bannon, ret. �AMTC Guillermo Melendez-Gaitan, ret.

Elective Class Unlike Any Other!

Think: PE with Sports Club +�Leadership + Teamwork + Community Service + �College/Career Resume building + Fun!�

Program Details:

• Only Coast Guard sponsored JROTC school in SDUSD. Taught by retired Coast Guard.�
• Uniforms worn??? Yes. Provided free of cost. Multiple types (dress uniform; operational boots/cargo pants and polo shirt). Worn only once a week.�
• Variety of extra activities if interested: academic team; archery team; event Color Guard team, etc; weekday, weekends & summer events to choose from. NOT REQUIRED!

US Coast Guard MBHS JROTC Class

Why JROTC is a unique class?

• Teaches citizenship, leadership, confidence, problem solving, goal & time management, friendship & fitness!
• Great support from real Coast Guard units! Field trips, work with active duty!
• We compete--as part of 14 SDUSD JROTC schools (USN, USA, USAF, USMC)
• We compete nationally with19 USCG JROTC high schools (8^th in Academics, 6^th in Athletic competitions, 11^th in archery in 2024) across the U.S.�

Instructor Team

Chief Guillermo Melendez-Gaitan

28 Years Coast Guard and Marine� Corps Experience; 2^nd year teaching;| � fluent in Spanish; aviation engineer

LCDR John Bannon

22 Years Coast Guard Experience; � 3rd year teaching. Pacific Beach native� MA in Education

But wait? Why should a student select JROTC ???

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Emphasis is on growth, while having fun & developing confidence -- thru life leadership lessons, workouts and scenarios!

Take for one, two or all four years! Two years satisfies SDUSD PE requirements.

We do more than just leadership & fitness. Our goal: developing:

“Service Minded Citizens of Character”

How we do it: A Day in the Week of JROTC (A/B Days match up)��

• Mon/Tues: Academic lessons – maritime history, leadership, health, government, medical and emergency response.

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• Wed/Thrs: Athletic lessons: games/sports once a week: archery, team sports: frisbee, kickball, volley ball, “avengers Olympics.”

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• Fri: “Fun Fridays—drill and color guard practice, guest speakers, field trips, “life lessons”—knot tying, bridge building, community service and more!

Student Benefit Summary

• College resume support - of actual leadership
• Positive college application boost plus opportunities for scholarships & internships
• Supports athletics/music/any sport/club (work around hours of other commitments.
• Fitness growth – provides for PE credits 9^th/10th
• Fun elective class – field trips; guest speaker series and -- meet new friends
• Supports military academy or military or law enforcement or first responder interest

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What Else to Know!

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• 2024-25: 3 classes made up of 55 cadets of all grades. 40 boys 15 girls.
• Open to all students/grades.
• Provides PE credit – and fitness �(1-mile run; pushups; curlups).��70% of cadets saw improvement in first 3 months in 2 of 3 fitness categories! mile run times reduced on avg by 1 min! 16 cadets earned Fitness Ribbon!

Final Slides: Frequently Asked JROTC Question: �Does uniform wear require military obligations ???

No—this is not military recruitment !!!

Each cadet chooses how involved they want to be with weekend or after school events/activities and uniform wear.

Military information is shared for those who want more information – (careers, ASVAB testing, service academies, college ROTC, internships, scholarships).

Frequently Asked JROTC Question: �Do I have to Participate outside of Class???

No, not for year one. It is not required. Just participation in class.��For Year 2 and (if you stay beyond -- for Year 3 and/or 4, and work you way to Team Commander or Officer leadership position, then most naturally do participate once a month or 3-4 times a year (after school or Saturdays). Summer also has leadership camp opportunities.

Frequently Asked JROTC Question: �Paperwork? Sports Physicals? Uniform Costs ???

SDUSD & Coast Guard has a form to fill out to elect attendance in JROTC. We will complete it the first week of class; signed by parents.

No sports physical/Dr. signed is required! We do ask parents for physical information to make sure normal PE class events are ok.

Uniforms – PE sweats and shorts/shirt plus dress uniforms and operational uniforms are provided free of charge!

“Leadership begins with you; but it’s not about you! �

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Jbannon@sandi.net

(858) 754-7769

Gmelendez-Gaitan@sandi.net

(619) 807-1553

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