The Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program teaches its cadets about patriotism and civic duty along with practical things such as manners, history, land navigation and map reading.

Recruiting candidates for a life in the Marines is not the motive for the program, according to Gunnery Sgt. Alfred Vega, who runs the ROTC program.

"It's not a recruitment tool," says Vega. "It is actually part of the Marine Corps contribution to education. We are trying to get kids to stay in school and eventually go on to college."

The ROTC program offers scholarships and also encourages active duty at the same time as college enrollment. At the high school level, there is no obligation or commitment for the cadets to eventually join the Marines, and they can withdraw if they choose to.

The cadets choose to join the program for a variety of reasons, many citing the desire to eventually enlist in the Marines as a primary reason. Freshman and Lance Cpl. Matt Brix of Los Gatos is one of these cadets. Having a cousin serving in Iraq and knowing that he would also like to join the Marines pointed Brix in the direction of the ROTC program.

"I wanted to go into the military, and it's a lot like it except they don't yell at you as much," says Brix. As an afterthought he adds, "The uniforms are pretty cool, too."

The ROTC program is not new to the school district and has actually been around since 1963. Although enrollment had been lower in past years, the events of Sept. 11 have caused enrollment to surge to more than 120 cadets in all three of the district high schools, including Prospect, Leigh and Westmont.

The program allows cadets to be involved with something that encourages strong leadership skills and moral character. "I've seen a lot of cadets come in and really change. Quiet kids tend to break away from their shyness, and they open up more. Many end up with a desire to learn in school and also become a lot more confident and mature," says Vega.

Confidence is something evident in 15-year-old Jason Mahaffey from Saratoga, who is now a corporal in the ROTC program and a sophomore at Westmont.

"I joined because I wanted to challenge myself," he says. "The backbone of the program is to teach leadership and self-discipline." Mahaffey, who wants to be a Marine Corps officer someday, is outspoken on his feelings for his country. "I am willing to die for my country if I need to," he says.

Concerned by the antiwar sentiment of his peers, Mahaffey thinks that a lot of students echo the views of actors and producers in Hollywood without really thinking out the issues for themselves and realizing that there is a place for war. "Even the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible says that 'there is a time for peace and a time for war,' " says Mahaffey.

These strong feelings of patriotism come at a time when antiwar sentiment is evident even on school campuses. Many of the cadets in the ROTC program are subjected to strong antiwar feelings that can sometimes be projected as anti-military sentiment.

Lance Cpl. Samantha Bogle, 15, of Los Gatos shares such convictions. "Some kids at school don't have a strong sense of nationalism or are against the war in Iraq," explains Bogle. "I have a close friend that stopped talking to me for a while because I'm in the ROTC program."

Antiwar sentiment has also been directed at Brix. He experienced it directly one day as he walked to church to speak to a Scouts group as part of his community service obligation for the program.

"I walked down the street in my dress blues and someone actually stopped and started to yell at me because of my uniform," says Brix. "At the same time, I have had people offer me a ride because I was wearing it."

Mahaffey has faced the worst of the antiwar sentiment. While jogging in his camouflage clothing, Mahaffey has had people make negative comments to him and have also accused him of being an "Arab hater" and a "racist." This hasn't shaken the cadet's faith in the program. He says, "It doesn't really bother me; I've learned to look beyond it. Everyone has their opinion."

Opinions about the war seem to be strong, even among the cadets in the ROTC program. "I've been in support of the Iraqi war ever since Bush said he was targeting Sadaam Hussein," says Mahaffey. "I was all for it and knew we needed to go in there."

Seeing the unprecedented live media coverage about the war has not deterred the cadets, who someday hope to become military officers. In fact, it has made them more determined than ever to someday enlist. "All of us want to be saluted someday," says Brix, explaining his desire to one day be an officer. All three of the local cadets unanimously agree that seeing the live coverage in the media has made them want to be over there and to partake in the cause.

Bogle has been particularly inspired by the story of Jessica Lynch, the 19-year-old Army supply clerk who is a rescued prisoner of war. "I was very proud of what she did and actually cried for her. I was especially proud to be a girl and in the ROTC after seeing what she went through," says Bogle, adding that Lynch "definitely kicked butt out there."

Bogle is one of 15 girls in the ROTC program and seems to have the determination needed to succeed. "It's great for girls because it gives you a lot of self-confidence," says Bogle, claiming to be one of the few girls that can keep up with the boys in physical training. "The other girls are getting there," she adds.

The cadets undergo rigorous physical training in the program that includes running in formation, yelling out cadence and running laps. Cadets also have the opportunity to participate in drill team and a marksmanship program using pellet guns.

The marksmanship portion of the course dates back to 1902 and is also a recognized Olympic sport. Vega emphasizes the fact that safety in the marksmanship program is of utmost importance and that they have a perfect safety record.

"In 104 years, there has never been an accidental discharge or injury," says Vega. He also explains that if the weapons are not used in a safe manner the students are dropped from the marksmanship portion of the program and cannot participate.

The cadets can be promoted in rank and also have an opportunity to earn more than 30 different types of ribbons for participation and excellence in areas such as color guard, physical training, community service and drill team.

The drill team is another important aspect of the program in which cadets can earn awards and participate in competitions. Mahaffey explains that the guns that are used in drills and formations are actually cement-filled M-14s that can no longer shoot.

Mahaffey adds, "Some of the guns were actually used in the Vietnam War. We are holding a piece of history in our hands."