McKinney, Texas - For the instructors and the cadets of the McKinney High School Marine Corps JROTC program, summer vacation is two more months to get things done.
And, history has shown that this program that earned the Naval Honor School Award in 2023 tends to get things done in a manner worthy of the Marine Corps banner under which it operates. Marine Corps instructors CWO-3 (ret) Ron McPhatter and Sgt. Major (ret) Don Hernandez wouldn’t have it any other way.
In June, MCJROTC Commanding Officer Cadet Captain and MHS senior Trey Bachman embarked on an intensive eight week, 10-hours-a-day maritime flight training program at Delaware State University alongside JROTC cadets from across the country to earn his private pilot’s license and to take another step toward a future as a Marine Corps aviator. Bachman was one of only 27 cadets chosen from a pool of some 500 applicants and was the first cadet in this summer’s program to earn his pilot’s license—two weeks ahead of the rest of the class.
McKinney High School Marine Corps JROTC Cadet Captain Trey Bachman at the Delaware State University summer aviation school
Meanwhile, the MHS battalion won the 2024 Leadership Program, outpacing three area MCJROTC school programs, and MHS cadets Caitlin Chase and Jaxon Young won honors as the Top Female and Male Cadet at the 2024 Annual Summer Leadership Camp, distinguishing themselves among more than 100 cadets during the camp’s five day evolution. In all, 25 MHS cadets battled not only the challenges of the evolutions themselves but also the intense summer heat as they surpassed competitors from other schools.
Jaxon Young and Caitlin Chase at the 2024 Annual Summer Leadership Camp where they earned Top Female and Male Cadet honors
June 17 marked a history-making first for MISD when Jakob Shackleton graduated from Stanford University as a U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lieutenant and became the first former MHS cadet to earn a commission as a Marine Corps officer. It was an immensely proud moment for not only Shackleton and his family, but also for McPhatter, whose guiding hand helped point the way forward for Shackleton more than four years ago.
“I had the privilege of being present at his commissioning ceremony to participate in the longstanding tradition of the ‘First Salute,’” said McPhatter. “Jakob’s next assignment is Quantico, Virginia, where he will complete the ‘The Basic School’ a grueling and demanding 6-month course that every Marine officer must successfully accomplish.”
CWO-3 (ret) Ron McPhatter, Senior JROTC Instructor at McKinney High School, and Marine Corps 2nd Lieutenant Jakob Shackleton take part in the First Salute tradition during Shackleton's commissioning.
During his time in the MCJROTC program Shackleton rose to the top of the unit, serving as Physical Fitness Commander and Battalion Commander of the Cadet Corps. He collected scholarship offers from every Division I college to which he applied, including military service academies.
“Applying to and winning an appointment to any service academy is the most difficult and selective process a young adult can experience,” said McPhatter. “Jakob won appointments to both the U.S. Naval Academy and West Point Military Academy.”
Ultimately, he accepted a full National ROTC Scholarship to Stanford University, and now, he becomes part of the long and distinguished history of the United States Marine Corps.
And, while the primary mission of the MHS MCJROTC program is not to produce military recruits, but rather to develop responsible citizens who possess pride, character and leadership skills, it’s pretty rewarding to see one of MISD’s own follow in the proud tradition of the United States Marine Corps.