Jacqueline Bautista, a rising senior at Dalton High School, stands in front of flags near the JROTC room. 

DALTON, Ga. — Jacqueline Bautista has yet to join the Army but said she experienced what a soldier’s life may be like during a recent camp.

Bautista, a rising senior at Dalton High School, was one of 210 students selected statewide for the JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) Cadet Leadership Challenge Camp at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville recently.

Other Dalton High students selected were Paola Arredondo, Gaby Hernández, Jayden Kregel, Ryan Laruy, Ronnie Paez, Selena Paniagua, Maria Perez, Adriana Ramirez, Tania Ramirez, Yaderit Rico and Perla Sandoval.

Sgt. Maj. Heriberto Vazquez, senior Army instructor at Dalton High, said 62 students applied to attend the camp. 

“We try to send the ones who perform above and beyond other students,” he said. “I usually select individuals who will be in leadership positions the following year.”  

To attend the camp students must pass a physical fitness test and have good grades and no behavior issues, Vazquez said.

The cadets were split into four groups with nine in each squad. At the end of the camp students from each group selected the Best Cadet. Bautista was the only student from Dalton to receive the honor and was given a medallion.

Students were housed in barracks on campus and mixed in with JROTC members from other schools.

“The mission of (the camp) is to provide leadership and military-style training for JROTC cadets,” a press release from the college states.

During the four-day camp training included repelling, a leadership reaction course, canoeing, drown proofing activities, physical training, a high ropes course and land navigation.

“We were told everything we did was part of the everyday life of what soldiers do,” Bautista said. “That’s exciting to know.” 

Bautista has been in JROTC for four years and plans to join the Army after high school. 

Students rotated in the leadership positions within groups to practice various challenges. Bautista’s task as first sergeant was to lead platoon members during march exercises. She said she was up every morning at 5:30 for physical training sessions and to prepare for the day.

Vazquez said he is proud of Bautista. 

“When you’re in a squad of 10 to 12 people from different schools and only a week to learn, you make the best of it,” he said. 

Vazquez said Bautista is a fast learner.

“She worked well with other individuals and took the initiative to lead and communicate orders (to others) correctly,” he said. 

Vazquez said Bautista has accomplished a lot during her time in the JROTC program.

“She’s an A student, physically fit and very active,” he said.

Vazquez said Bautista will be a company commander responsible for 40 to 50 cadets when school starts in August. He said 192 cadets are expected in the JROTC program this coming year. 

Bautista said she is inspired by battalion commander Arredondo, a rising senior at Dalton High. 

“She pushed me into leadership and encouraged me to attend the camp,” Bautista said.

Arredondo said hearing about the impact she has on Bautista makes her feel “accomplished.”

“I like working with cadets and she’s been an inspiration to me, too,” Arredondo said. “It’s good to know I’m making a difference.” 

She said being battalion commander is demanding. 

“I am responsible for everything the battalion does or fails to do,” Arredondo said. “I direct subordinates through company commanders, and staff through the executive officer and support operations officer.”

This was Arredondo’s fourth year attending camp.

“I think whoever has an opportunity to go should take it,” she said. “It’s challenging but has great opportunities.”

Bautista said she’s glad she finally decided to go. 

“It’s a really great experience and time to meet new people,” she said.