Dodge City, Kansas – October 23, 2025 After a brief hiatus, the JROTC program at Dodge City High School is back with renewed energy and a clear direction under the leadership of its new instructor, Cody Nichols.  With equipment already on hand and an enthusiastic corps of enrolled cadets, Nichols is focused on a “restructure, not a rebuild” aimed at empowering students and expanding the program’s reach.

“The spirit has never left,” Nichols said. “The cadets that are enrolled are excited to go beyond what the program once was.” A central pillar of Nichol’s vision is to make the program 100% cadet-led. While he will provide formal instruction in Aerospace Sciences and Leadership, he intends for students to take ownership of all other aspects.

“My final goal...is to be 100% cadet led,” he explained. “Every aspect of the program will be the cadet’s doing. The cadets will teach other cadets how to wear the uniform, teach others how to perform facing movements, and lead in managing JROTC as a program.” 

Growth is also a key priority. Nichols is already working to create two new extracurricular teams:  an air rifle marksmanship team and an archery team.  Safety training and practices will begin as soon as the equipment arrives.

Developing Citizens of Character

When asked about the program’s role, Nichols was clear: “The primary goal of JROTC is to develop citizens of character.”

He sees the program as a vehicle for molding students into “paragons of successful students” who set the highest example of professionalism in how they look, talk, and act. This mission extends beyond the JROTC classroom through a planned tutoring program and extensive community service.  

“Community service also fulfills our mission,” Nichols noted. “We have a book reading program set up for elementary schools where my cadets go and read to classrooms. We do color guard services for free to anyone that requests it, and more opportunities...slide by my desk often that my cadets are happy to fulfill.”

A Packed Schedule of Activities

Cadets can look forward to a challenging and exciting year.  Summers will be dedicated to training for Raiders, a physically demanding teamwork competition, with meets held in the fall. The spring semester will be filled with Drill Competitions, including Unarmed, Armed, and Color Guard categories.

While some long-distance trips are still in the planning stages, Nichols, confirmed the program is required to take at least one “Curriculum in Action” (CIA) trip per year.  The Color Guard will also be a familiar sight at school sporting events and, he hopes many more community functions.

How to Get Involved

Nichols has a simple request for the Dodge City community: “Easy – spread the word.” He encourages any school group, local organization.