Leesville High School JROTC changes command

Col. Christopher Moretti, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk chief of staff, and his spouse,Debra, pin their daughter, Ashlynn Moretti, during her promotion to Cadet Lieutenant Colonel prior to the Leesville High School Change of Command Ceremony and Ashlynn's assumption of command April 12.
By Leesville High School JROTC
May 17, 2019
LEESVILLE, La. — The Leesville High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps held its annual Change of Command Ceremony April 12, during which Cadet Lt. Col. MyKayla Alvarez relinquished command to incoming commander, Cadet Lt. Col. Ashlynn Moretti.
Alvarez is the daughter of Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Alvarez and Sgt. Jessica Alvarez, who serve at Fort Polk. After graduation, Alvarez will serve her country in the Navy.
Ashlynn Moretti is the daughter of Col. Christopher Moretti, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk chief of staff, and Debra Moretti. Moretti intends to pursue a scholarship through ROTC and earn a commission in the US Military.
Alvarez thanked her staff for their support during her successful tenure as commander. The battalion accomplishments included a drill team that won multiple awards and a physical fitness team that finished in first- or second-place in each of their competitions.
The battalion hosted a successful Vernon Classic Drill Meet that included 12 JROTC programs from across the state, with the assistance of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, local Army and Navy recruiters, and Soldiers from the Fort Polk Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program.
The battalion conducted several service projects. Working with the Combat Veterans Motocycle Association Chapter 6-1 and the Leesville High School student body, JROTC Soldiers collected more than 1,250 toys for area children in support of the Toys for Tots program. The cadets visited the Veterans Administration Hospital in Pineville, providing gifts, cards and a drill team performance for the veterans there. The cadets also assisted local Disabled American Veterans Jack Redell Memorial Chapter 20 during the Forestry Festival, manning their concessions booth.
The battalion also hosted the JROTC Military Ball in December, during which Col. Kendall Clarke, commander, of the 3rd BCT, 10th Mtn Div, served as guest speaker. Clarke inspired and challenged the cadets, recollecting his own experiences in JROTC, which helped to shape his decision to serve in the Army.
Alvarez thanked her staff for their hard work and her instructors, retired Lt. Col. Kevin McAllister and retired 1st Sgt. Charles Babineaux for their guidance and the opportunity to lead the battalion. She also thanked her mother for her constant support.
Mykayla said that her time leading the JROTC Battalion provided her with “so many amazing experiences that were truly one of a kind.”
Moretti thanked the outgoing leadership by saying, “Our (JROTC battalion) is one of the best within the state because of the outstanding cadet leaders that stand before us.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the cadets participated in the battalion’s annual organizational day. The cadets compete in various events to earn the title of top company. The results also weigh heavily into the yearlong competition for the LHS JROTC Battalion’s Honor Company, which takes into account academic performance, athletic achievement and service hours committed to the school and community. The Honor Company competition was one instituted by the LHS Battalion Staff this school year.
JROTC is a cadet run program, meaning that while the instructors provide classroom instruction and leadership guidance to the cadets, the cadet chain of command is encouraged and expected to run the battalion. As a result, the leadership lessons for cadets who stay with the program for four years are immeasurable.
All Vernon Parish District students, grades nine through 12, are eligible to participate in the Leesville High School JROTC program.