Text Box: ROTC was first authorized by Congress under the Defense Authorization Act of 1916. JROTC prepares high school students for responsible leadership roles while making them aware of the benefits of citizenship.  Classroom and outside activities are used to acquire the knowledge, discipline, and sense of responsibility that is necessary to take charge of one’s future.  Since it’s inception, JROTC has spread to over 1,500 high schools in all 50 of the United States. Junior ROTC was started at Strong Vincent High School during August, 1994.  It’s official Activation Date is May 25, 1995.  It quickly become one of the best programs in the Nation, consistently ranking among the top 20% of all Junior ROTC units in the United States.  Strong Vincent’s JROTC program is considered to be an “Honor Unit with Distinction”, the highest designation applied to JROTC units. In 1994 Lieutenant Colonel David A. Carlson (1994-2004) and First Sergeant William A. Crabill (1994-present) started the Strong Vincent Colonel Battalion. Lieutenant Colonel Fred Johns took over as SAI in 2005. The Battalion is named after Colonel Strong Vincent. Throughout the 14 years the program has been active, we have maintained Honor Unit with Distinction every year. That is the highest any unit can achieve. Lieutenant Colonel Fred Johns took over the program in  2005 as the SAI. Text Box: LTC(R) Fred Johns Text Box: 1SGT(R) William Crabill Text Box: Strong Vincent Junior ROTC HISTOrY