Farrington High’s JROTC program celebrates 80 years

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Farrington High School’s JROTC program is celebrating its 80th birthday this year.

The Governor’s Guard Battalion began in 1946, less than a year after the end of World War II.

“The school was built in 1936, and the JROTC program was started in 1946 — 10 years after the school was built,” said Sgt. Maj. Luke Granadosin, a 1995 Farrington graduate and one of the school’s military instructors.

Shifting expectations over the years

After the war, Granadosin said early cadets simply wanted to “finish high school, you know, maybe either join the military, go to college, you know, and get out.”

Throughout the years, he says there has been a huge shift in the expectations of military students.

“The students now, they want the change of lifestyle. They want to better themselves,” Granadosin said. “They want to have a good career after high school.”

Cadet Aldine Fabro said, “I’m applying to West Point and the Air Force Academy, and I’m also seeing if I want to go to the ROTC program in different universities.”

The cadets in Farrington’s JROTC program are required to have a full class load in addition to their military training.

Shaping the next generation

Retired Army Master Sgt. Ben San Diego, also on the school’s cadre, says helping shape the next generation of soldiers is the most rewarding part of the 80-year-old program.

“That is the best part of this job is that you’re able to, while they’re trying to find out who they are, their identity, and what they want to do in life, you have that opportunity to speak life into that,” said San Diego.

Currently, Farrington has the largest JROTC enrollment statewide with more than 200 cadets making up ranks of the battalion.

With help from its two senior non-commissioned officers, the program motivates youth to be better citizens.

“It’s very important to me because it made me learn about so many things about myself, and also so many leadership opportunities that I wouldn’t be able to get in other programs,” said Cadet Mikayla Timothy.

“What I’ve learned about myself is being humble. I really have been motivated to become a better citizen,” said Cadet Kyle Marinas.