In my newest book, “The Senior Army Instructor; the Paul Tyler Saga Begins” I tell the story of a deep, Special-Ed student that joined my program during the first year of our existence. He was a wonderful young man; he really wanted to be a part of something. But like so many high school students that are relegated to the Special Education department his extracurricular opportunities were limited. Clarence was to small to play sports. He couldn’t sing or play a musical instrument and hadn’t been given a chance to find his special talent in school.
The Junior ROTC department worked with a large number of kids in these special education programs. The vast majority of them loved being in the program because it allowed them to do things with their hands, things that they were better suited to do then being academically challenged. JROTC students do a lot of hands-on work in class and after school.
But Clarence, (needless to say not his real name), wanted to belong to something bigger than himself. He was both physically and academically challenged. Clarence had a heart of gold he just wanted to belong. This is his story.
Clarence and a Lesson in Leadership
Clarence Kline had hung around school every afternoon. He wanted to be a part of the Color Guard.
Clarence was one of the JROTC ‘special-ed’ students, he was uncoordinated, couldn’t stay in step or handle the rifle moves; but he was intent on being a part of the Color Guard.
His mother was elated that her son wanted to be involved. Mrs. Kline ensured that he made each of the practices. She brought an iron and ironing board to school and ironed all the cadets’ uniforms for the first event. She was proud when Master Sergeant Chapman issued Clarence a uniform and announced that he would participate in the first Color Guard.
The Cadet Battalion Commander, Ryan Murphy, questioned MSG Chapman; “how was Clarence going to help? He couldn’t march and his handling of the rifle was a disaster.”
“Well Ryan, everyone is special; even guys like Clarence. Your job as a leader is to find his hidden talents. Your first leadership challenge as our newest battalion commander is to figure out how you can best utilize Clarence; make him feel like he’s an important member of the team.”
“But ‘TOP,’ he can’t!”
“Ryan, what CAN he do? What type of meaningful job can he perform?”
“Well, ‘TOP,’ you know we have to go through the gate to enter the stadium. What if his job was opening and closing the gate? When we move out onto the field, he could be the place holder on the sidelines. We’d have someone as our guide point when we return. When we return to the supply room, he could help put everything away. Do you think that would work?”
“Ryan, now you’re starting to think like a leader. So, what’s next?”
“Well, ‘TOP’ tomorrow we’ll go outside and practice. I’ll get with Clarence and explain what he needs to do; he can practice with us. I know that he’s kinda ‘slow’, but he wants to be a part of the Color Guard. If you give him simple and clear directions, he’s good at following them.”
“Ryan, now that’s leadership thinking! Make it happen!”
On Wednesday afternoon the Color Guard marched out to the stadium. Clarence followed slightly behind. When they got to the gate Ryan commanded: “Gate Guard POST!” Clarence sped up and opened and closed the gate as the Color Guard entered the stadium. He promptly fell in line behind the last rifleman. He marched proudly with the Color Guard trying, unsuccessfully, to stay in step.
Clarence stood at attention and saluted as the Color Guard marched out onto the field. When they returned, he stood his ground. Returning to the JROTC Supply room Clarence raced forward, opening and closing the stadium gate and the school doors.
Thursday afternoon the Color Guard did its final practice before the big season opener. Clarence felt like he was an integral part of the team. Ryan noticed that he was really working hard on trying to keep in step with the rifleman. It was ‘iffy’, but he was trying.
Friday night arrived; the Color Guard nervously got into their uniforms adorned with gleaming chrome helmets, new white ascots and white gloves (except for Clarence who wore black leather gloves). Rifles were issued. They were ready!
MSG Chapman and Colonel Tyler moved out accompanied by Clarence’s mother.
The Color Guard formed up and marched in ahead of the school band. Nearing the stadium Ryan gave the order “Gate Guard POST!” Clarence promptly moved forward and opened the gate. He was beaming with pride as the Color Guard, his instructors, and mother walked in behind them. He quickly moved to catch up with the trailing rifleman. You could see the effort that he was making to stay in step.
They stood at the ‘rest’ position along the sidelines of the opposing team facing their student body as the band marched around the field, taking its position in the grandstands.
After the welcoming announcements were made the announcer asked everyone “please rise for the National Anthem: Tonight, the JROTC Color Guard is presenting the colors. The color guard consists of, (and he read the names of the Color Guard members) assisted by Cadet Private Clarence Kline”.
The Color Guard moved smartly to the center of the field, stopped, and presented the colors as the band played.
Clarence stood at rigid attention, left hand giving a military salute. Master Sergeant Chapman stepped forward and reversed Clarence’s hand so that he was saluting correctly; only a very observant person would notice the correction.
When the anthem ended the Color Guard marched off the field followed by Clarence. He opened the gates on command and moved out smartly to open the supply room.
When everything was put away MSG Chapman got everyone together for a quick After Action Review of tonight’s events, asking everyone for their input on what they needed to work on for the next Color Guard.
While ‘TOP’ was conducting his AAR, Clarence’s mother cornered Colonel Tyler and thanked him for allowing Clarence to participate. She said, with a slight tear in her eye, that this was the first time that he had been allowed to participate in any school event. Special Education students like Clarence weren’t given much of a chance to be a part of something like the Color Guard. Clarence had not only participated, but having his name read by the announcer as a member of the Color Guard was spectacular. She told the Colonel that it was perhaps the proudest moment of their life.
For the next four years Clarence actively participated in the Color Guard. In his senior year he served as a rifleman on the final Color Guard of the football season. This time his name was called as a member of the Color Guard and not just someone supporting them.
You see anyone can learn something and everyone can be of value if they are included as a member of the team!
Everyone can be taught to do things with training and patience.
If you’re enjoying these blogs, please drop me a comment or if you have any questions that I might answer, submit a comment on the comment pages. I’m always glad to hear from you.
Again, please look at all my books that I have listed. They can be purchased from Amazon.com with the click of a button directly from my website at Authors Published Works;
The Advisor Series:
“The Senior Army Instructor” (https://www.amazon.com/dp/BOGSXJ2ZHC)
- “The Advisor, Kien Bing, South Vietnam, 1969-1970. A Novel” (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L4X5NQ3)
- “The Province Senior Intelligence Advisor, Kien Song Province 1970-1971; A Novel” (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BHL2XCX5)
- “The Hardchargers,” Vietnam 1972-1973; A Novel” (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7SPR1JY)
- “The Tuscarora Trail” (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3QY2GM6)
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