Operating heavy equipment, inspecting firearms and checking out equipment used by the 62nd Unit Weapons of Mass Destruction were just a few of the opportunities provided to students Wednesday during the first day of the 7th Annual JROTC

(Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) Field Day.

The two-day event, held at the Armor Laser Range, also known as Training Area 6 (T-6) at Camp Minden, is continuing today, providing young people a hands-on experience with both the Louisiana Army and Air Force National Guard.

"The soldiers of the Louisiana National Guard welcome the JROTC Cadets to Camp Minden," said MG Bennett C. Landreneau, The Adjutant General, Louisiana National Guard. "We are pleased to have an opportunity to visit with these dedicated young cadets."

According to Sgt. 1st Class David Cooper, NCIC (non commissioned officer in charge) of the field day, somewhere between 400 to 600 teenagers attended Wednesday’s activities and an additional 600 to 800 students were expected at today’s event.
Schools scheduled to attend the event were Airline, Athens, Benton, Booker T. Washington, Bossier, Caddo Magnet, Calvary Christian Academy, Captain Shreve, C. E. Byrd, Cotton Valley, Doyline, Fair Park, Gibsland-Coleman, Glenbrook, Evangel, Green Oaks, Hamilton Terrace, Haughton, Huntington, Lakeside, Mansfield, Minden, North Caddo, North Desoto, Northwood, Red River Parish, Serepta, Shongaloo, Southwood, Woodlawn and Parkway schools.  

Also, attending will be Bossier Parish Community College, Job Corps and Camp Minden Youth Challenge Program students.
Units on hand to talk with the teens included three transportation units, the 199th Support Battalion, the 1083rd Forward Support Co. and 165th Combat Support Co.; the 527th Engineer Battalion?, the 256th Infantry Brigade, representing the infantry or combat brigade; the 39th Military Police Unit, which provides security at Camp Minden; and the  244th, which was to bring in a Black Hawk helicopter today.

The main attraction was the National Guard "NASCAR" with demonstrations by the nationally recognized "NASCAR" team, the Virtual Convoy Trainer in which cadets lead a simulated convoy using simulation equipment similar to a very large, expensive Nintendo simulator and a simulated firing range.

“The kids can see what it’s like to ride in military humvee, and the Air Guard brought paint ball equipment,” said Cooper. “If students hit the target, they receive a gift. There are also some other giveaways at various unit displays.”
The purpose of the Field Day is to allow the Louisiana National Guard to showcase the numerous educational opportunities offered by the Louisiana National Guard, such as the 100-percent Free College Tuition Program, the Montgomery GI Bill and Bonus Program and career opportunities.

“The biggest question most of the kids ask when they come out here is, basically, how big of a commitment is it and what kind of benefits comes with it,” said Cooper. “They are curious about the equipment for sure, but if they are going to sacrifice whatever time they have to put into it, they want to know what they are going to get out of it. They want to know how much and how does it pay for college and how far can they go - can they get a master’s, a doctorate degree or a bachelor’s degree.”
Students showing an interest in the Guard or a career in the military were provided with paperwork that once filled out, would be passed on to recruiters.

The majority of funding for Field Day was provided by the Louisiana National Guard Recruiting and Retention Command. Camp Minden provided the locale and Eddy Bogues catered the event.

“He comes out and cooks for the kids every year,” said Cooper. “He is not a member of the Guard, but he’s a good friend of the Guard.”

“The Guard is a part-time thing,” continued Cooper. “A lot of people who are in the Guard are politicians, librarians, firemen and police officers from all over the state. When you are looking at a National Guard member, he’s not just a soldier – he’s also civilian. He’s somebody’s dad, a schoolteacher, a pastor at somebody’s church. By it being that way, we also have a lot of people who support the National Guard who are just civilians. They support the National Guard because they believe in what we do and Mr. Bogus is one of those individuals.”

Cooper wished to express the Guard’s appreciation to Camp Minden and the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance during Field Day.

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