MHS Brings Back JROTC, Builds Tomorrow’s Leaders

Published 3:40 pm Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Marshfield High School’s Marine Corps JROTC program returns after a four-year effort, giving students a chance to learn practical skills, explore career options, and get involved in their community.

The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, better known as JROTC, combines classroom instruction with military traditions, physical fitness, and community service. But joining the program doesn’t mean students have to pursue a military career. The goal is to help prepare them for whatever comes after high school.

For Marshfield R-1 Superintendent Garrett Lowder, bringing the program back has been a priority for both the district and the community.

“We had identified through our community feedback and our board that bringing JROTC back to Marshfield School District was something that was a high priority for us,” Lowder said.

Marshfield previously offered JROTC, and school leaders spent roughly four years working to bring it back. The district even included space for the program in a new facility while waiting for approval.

Now, two former Marines are helping get things started.

Staff Sergeant Matthew Barker, who served nine years in the Marine Corps, and First Sergeant Joseph Bednarik, who retired in July after 23 years of active duty, are leading the program.

While uniforms, marching, and military drills are part of JROTC, Barker says students can take much more from the experience.

“Our entire curriculum is titled Leadership Education,” Barker explained.

Students will learn public speaking, teamwork, and personal responsibility. A typical week includes classroom instruction, physical training, uniform inspections, and military drills.

They’ll also get help with college applications, resumes, trade schools, and career planning.

“One of the first lessons we teach is that a leader can’t lead without a voice,” Barker said.

For Bednarik, working with students is a chance to share lessons from his own life.

Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, he faced financial hardships before joining the Marine Corps at 18. He hopes his experiences will encourage students facing challenges of their own.

“If I can do it, you can do it. It just takes discipline,” Bednarik said.

After retiring from the military, Bednarik knew he still wanted to give something back.

“I still wanted to serve. I just didn’t want to serve on active duty anymore,” he said.

Barker feels much the same way. Although he originally pictured a longer military career, he says working with young people has become his calling.

“This is my purpose. This is why I’m here,” Barker said.

The program will also give students opportunities to represent Marshfield outside the classroom. They’ll participate in community events and regional JROTC competitions, including drill, color guard, and physical fitness activities.

Lowder says that community connection is an important part of bringing the program back.

“We want our school and our community to be tight,” he said.

Residents can follow the program through the Marshfield R1 School News Facebook page and the district’s monthly community updates.

For the school district, bringing back JROTC gives students another option to explore their interests, build useful skills, and consider what they want to do after high school.

Whether that means college, military service, a trade, or a career close to home, the program helps students take those next steps with greater confidence.