Members of the Central Campus Marine Corps JROTC air rifle team.

For many years, Gunnery Sergeant Michael Gettler headed up the JROTC program at North High School. Under his coaching, the Polar Bears air rifle team became a dynasty, repeatedly ranked as one of the top units in the nation.

Today Sgt. Gettler directs the JROTC program at Central Campus. It may be a new school for him but the success – and aim – of his students continues to be right on target.

The Central Campus Marine Corps JROTC unit competed at the Marine Corps National Shooting Championships in Chandler, Arizona recently. More than 200 teams started the competition, with the top 25 teams from around the United States qualifying to move on to the National Championship. After the 2-day competition, Central Campus finished 4th overall, with two members finishing in the top 10: senior Tha Dah finished 8th and junior Hope Dobek was 9th.

Central also hosted the CMP State Championship earlier this year. Tha Dah won the individual state title and teammate Lizzea Wright was the runner-up. Other team members competing were Hope Dobek and Marina Sanchez. Central JROTC also won the state team championship.

The Central JROTC unit has a busy Spring ahead of them. Later this move they will travel to Camp Perry, Ohio to compete in the All-Armed Forces National Championship. In early April they will host the Iowa Junior Olympic State Championship before heading to Salt Lake City for the CMP Western Regional Championship.

Interested in joining JROTC? Look for registration information later this month on the Central Campus web site.