With the AG program being moved to the Career and Education Center (CEC), a new opportunity presented itself for another program at Rider High School, the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

While some may be confused about the move, junior Matthew Tuten is appreciative of it.

“We would just shove stuff where it could fit because we didn’t have the time, or available space to organize,” he said. “Now, since we’re basically starting over, we can organize with a new look.”

The new space is welcomed by the program’s officer staff.  Tuten explained in the past, they would share some of the space with the competition teams after school, making school meetings awkward.  So, with the larger space, they are no longer competing for an area to practice, hold meetings, or do instruction.  However, while many are excited about the new facility, everything has had to be moved and arranged first.

“We almost did nothing but move stuff, occasionally stopping to practice drill,” junior Marcus Matus said. “It sometimes was frustrating.”

However, Matus said he was glad to see the students working together.  They almost instantly became friends, which has been beneficial with all of the busy work the students have been completing.  It’s not just the bonding that is improving the program.  The new facility is providing a new opportunity.

“We’re fortunate to be able to switch buildings,” JROTC instructor Douglas Miller said. “Now we don’t need to compete for the gym to have room to practice.”

Even though most of the move has been completed, Miller is unsure when the program will be able to fully settle in. Though finishing organizing is an important task, the balancing of the move, as well as the curriculum that has to be taught and tested on, is something that is difficult.

However, he said it’s been a bit chaotic while working to organize everything.

“I’m the only one who knows what to keep and what we can throw out,” Miller said. “It’s going to be frustrating sometimes, but that’s what it takes.”