Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) leader Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Johnson has marked his words on his retirement for next year. He was an active member of the U.S Army for 21 years until he found his place at Pompano Beach High School, where he taught and trained young cadets for 20 years. Many of the Colonel’s students were disappointed and sad when news broke out to them. 

“Completion is rest. I ran the race and completed the task. I did it and didn’t fall off,” Johnson said. He believes his time here at Pompano is done, since his arrival at PBHS, where he influenced young cadets. “I believe JROTC will get better, even though Colonel Johnson will leave next year,” Cadet Karl Michel said.

“The cadets are students, they are like the soldiers I had when I was on active duty, but they’re still students.” This is one of the most important things he learned while at PBHS. “Just because they are big doesn’t mean they are that mature or wise.” He emphasized this trait because even though the kids are bigger here than the active soldiers he worked with, the kids have less wisdom and maturity. 

Johnson soon came to see that he loves seeing the cadets’ motivation, development over the years, and settlement. “They soon learn and become mature and want to be in,” Johnson said. Despite young cadets’ hesitation to do things in JROTC, Johnson’s patience for cadets made them be more inclusive. “Whenever I first meet new cadets, I sit there with patience and respect waiting for them to settle down.” This little effort trains and disciplines the young cadets to prepare for the future ahead.

Even though JROTC has been fun for Colonel Johnson, he still to this day hates paperwork given to him, giving him stress. “Retirement isn’t going on a beach in a hammock with a root beer in my hand,” Johnson said. He feels like after retirement, he would still work as hard. “I look forward to enjoying life, shaping my two grandchildren, and looking to go to church more and other activities.”