Creekview High School Army JROTC Career Pathway instructor Lt. Col. (Ret.) Anthony Duplechien speaks with Cadet Sgt. Carlton Samples, a junior, as Cadet Col. Lilly Carter, a senior, looks on.

This week’s CCSD Pathway Profile focuses on Army JROTC - Government and Public Administration, which is offered at Creekview High School.  Three different JROTC programs are available in CCSD high schools.  CCSD offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs … 

Creekview High School senior Lilly Carter is ready to be all she can be thanks to a Career Pathway program.

Lilly, who is a student in the school’s Pathway for JROTC Army and serves as a cadet colonel, plans to begin her career in the military.

“The Creekview Army JROTC Program has given me the foundation and knowledge necessary to thrive in further education, a career and the military,” said Lilly, who plans to enroll in a college Army ROTC program with a four-year Army ROTC Scholarship and then serve as an active duty Army second lieutenant. 

Army JROTC Pathway instructor Lt. Col. (Ret.) Anthony Duplechien, who is in his seventh year teaching the program, began his second career in education after 32 years of serving in the Army.  

“What really got me interested in JROTC was when my son took the class in high school and I got to see firsthand its value,” said Lt. Col. Duplechien, who earned his bachelor’s degree in education, focused on social science education and Special Education.

His second career has given him opportunities to teach students about military career options, as well as skills that are useful no matter his students’ future path.

“We have a resounding message of accountability, responsibility and discipline.  These are the skills I honed in the Army that were the foundation of success for me,” he said.  “The opportunity to give back and instill these values in students is why I really love this job.”

One of Lt. Col. Duplechien’s favorite lesson units to teach focuses on financial literary.

“It exposes the cadets to the challenges of adulthood from the financial perspective and how it can drive personal, professional and organizational decisions,” he said.

Within the Pathway, classes offered include: JROTC Army leadership education 1, 2, 3 and 4.  Students can earn PE credit through the program.  They can compete in JROTC state and national career skills programs and contests.

This Pathway prepares students for careers including, but not limited to: service in any branch of the U.S. military as an enlisted soldier or commissioned officer, government and public administration, law enforcement officer, airline pilot/copilot/flight engineer, auto and heavy vehicle maintenance worker or manager, medical field careers, electrician, recruiting/retention specialist, business manager.

The average income range for careers in this Pathway in Georgia is $27,650 to $86,000.  Local and area employers for this Pathway include, but are not limited to: U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Defense, government organizations (local, state, federal).

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