By Pauline Masson –
Pacific High School’s JROTC cadets have become a staple of Pacific public life, trooping the colors for public events, leading parades, collecting Toys for Tots and Coats for Kosovo, and honoring area veterans at an annual PHS assembly.
The Marine Corps Junior Officers Training Corps program was intended as an additional direction for PHS students when inaugurted in 1999.
But inside the classrooms the students entered a unique world of routine, discipline, training and training and training.
And it has paid off.
This year Pacific MCJROTC defeated Warren Central MCJROTC 1118.8 to 991.2 in the 2023 National Sporter Air Rifle League.
Pacific MCJROTC was led by Brooke McKay who shot a 289.7. The remaining contributing members were Malissa Dailey, Annabelle Schneider, and Carter Casey.
It shouldn’t surprise anyone and did not surprise Marine Corps Chief Warren Officer (retired) Brian Cain, senior instructor, who coaches the team.
“We’ve had good success with our marksmanship teams here at Pacific High School for the past few years,” Gunner Cain said.
The winning streak kicked off in 2019 where when PHS marksmen won four state titles including the NRA State Championship; the CMP (civilian marksmanship program) State Championship; the American Legion State Championship; and the Junior Olympics State Championship.
That year, Julia Thomas, who is now at MIZZOU, was the individual American Legion State Champion.
“The state championship banners are proudly displayed in the PHS main gym.,” Gunner Cain said.”Since then we’ve consistently qualified for and attended various national championships.”
Gunner Cain, who never draws attention to himself, has sent Pacific High cadets to training sessions across the country kept them visible in local activities, which earned special Marine Corps recognition for community service hours in Pacific and nearby communities.
By 2006 the Pacific High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (MCJROTC) earned the distinguished designation as a “Naval Honors School,” an honor that was repeated year after year.
In 2016, when the cadets paid tribute to area veterans in a PHS school assembly, Gunner Cain invited his son Seaman John Cain, an alumnae of the program as the keynote speaker.
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In 2017 PHS captured a second-place finish at the Missouri State Junior Olympics in Springfield. The following year, 2018, the marksmanship team captured second place in a tournament at St. Louis University High School and captured first place in the 2018 Ozark Predator Classic Air Rifle Championship.
“Recent success really kicked off in 2019 where our team won four state titles including the NRA State Championship; the CMP (civilian marksmanship program) State Championship; the American Legion State Championship; and the Junior Olympics State Championship,” Gunner Cain said. “Julia Thomas, currently at MIZZOU, was also the individual American Legion State Champion that same year.
All of these state championship banners are proudly displayed in our main gym.”
A great coup for PHS shooters was the opportunity to participate in the US Army Junior Air Rifle Championship at Ft Benning, GA .
There PHS cadets trained one-on-one with the US Army Marksmanship Unit, wich is recognized internationally as one of the very best marksmen in the world and will most likely represent the USA in the Paris summer games next summer; the Marine Corps JROTC National Championship in Anniston, GA; and the All-Service JROTC National Championship in Port Clinton, Ohio.
Gunner can says the reason for the success of PHS marksmen is personal commitment..
“An effective high school marksman is exceptionally disciplined both on the range and in the classroom,” he said. ”Several members of our current team boast a 4.0 GPA or higher and are enrolled in college level and or advanced placement (AP) classes.
“Other shared characteristics of our team include sacrificing a portion of their lunch hour to practice; knowing the importance of training our novice shooters; and having a short memory as it refers to forgiving themselves for an off-day on the range,” he said. “So much of what they do is mental and this learned trait of forgiveness is paramount for continued success, both individually and as a team.”
PHS cadets have also garnered academic success beyond high school. This year, pictured from left, Julia Thomas, Kiley Stahl, and Chase Fievet were awarded scholarships.
