For retired Chief Warrant Officer 3 Johnnie Hickson, the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) is more than a program that teaches leadership, discipline and citizenship. It is an opportunity to change lives, just as it changed his own more than four decades ago.
Now serving as a JROTC instructor at Southern Lee High School, Hickson brings 21 years of military service, 15 years of teaching experience and a personal commitment to helping students develop the skills they need to succeed in life, whether they pursue military service or an entirely different path.
“I am a product of JROTC. It changed my life, 180 degree-change, honestly,” Hickson shared. “I was in JROTC from 9th through 12th grade and the program changed my life so significantly that I vowed to myself when I was in high school that when I retired, I was going to take the opportunity to give back to the program. That is exactly what I did.”
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Hickson entered the United States Army shortly after graduating from high school. Over his 21-year military career, he served with the 82nd Airborne Division, spent time stationed in Korea and at Fort Stewart, Georgia, before eventually retiring from the 10th Special Forces Group in Colorado.
He credits his high school experiences in JROTC and vocational automotive courses with laying a foundation for his military career, developing both the technical skills and personal discipline that helped him navigate life’s challenges.
Those experiences continue to shape his approach to teaching today.
“It is about entering to learn and leaving to lead,” Hickson explained. “We want them to grow a skill set, we call it a tool box. What skill sets can we equip them with so that when they are in situations, not always in a leadership role - it could be personal things they are dealing with - but what skills can we provide them with that they are going to be able to use?”
For Hickson, the ultimate goal isn’t simply developing future military leaders. It is preparing young people to become confident, resilient, and productive citizens who can navigate personal challenges, make responsible decisions and positively impact their communities.
That mission is resonating with students at Southern Lee, where the JROTC program is experiencing remarkable growth. Currently serving 235 cadets, the program is projected to reach more than 300 students through the school year, roughly tripling previous participation levels.
Hickson credits Southern Lee’s supportive leadership and staff for helping create an environment where the program can thrive.
“We’re big on leadership in JROTC, and the best thing about being at Southern Lee High School is the leadership here,” he said, specifically recognizing Mrs. Lundy, Mrs. Chick and the school’s staff for their commitment to the program’s success.
His decision to join Lee County Schools was intentional. Having previously visited JROTC programs in the area while stationed at Fort Bragg, Hickson was already familiar with the program’s strong reputation. When he began considering his next teaching opportunity, he researched the district’s values and leadership where he found a community that aligned with his educational philosophy.
“Honestly, I feel that Lee County is a match made in heaven for me,” Hickson smiled.
He also quickly discovered the community’s strong commitment to supporting military families and veterans. An early conversation with Lee County Board of Education member and retired Army Colonel Sherry Womack reinforced his belief that he had found the right place to continue serving students.
Hickson’s move to North Carolina from Hawaii was also driven by family. Following his daughter-in-law’s battle with cancer and her recent passing, Hickson and his family wanted to be closer to his son, an active-duty Army major, and their three grandchildren.
His family’s experiences have only deepened his belief in the lifelong value of JROTC. His son, also a former JROTC cadet, recently shared how lessons learned in the program have helped him navigate the challenges facing his family.
Hearing his son describe that lasting impact was a powerful reminder of why Hickson dedicated his second career to education.
After 15 years in the classroom, Hickson says the most rewarding moments come when students recognize their own potential and achieve something they once thought was beyond their reach.
“When it really clicks for a student is what makes me proud of what I do,” he said. “When they walk across that stage on graduation day. When they look you in the eyes and you can just tell the appreciation and the reciprocity of them wanting to now give back is there.”
That commitment extends beyond the cadets in his program. Hickson makes a point of encouraging students throughout Southern Lee, recognizing that every young person benefits from having someone believe in their ability to succeed.
As the Southern Lee JROTC program continues to grow, Hickson hopes to build on its proud tradition while providing even more students with the tools to lead, serve, and thrive. “I’m a proud Lee County teacher and I want to be here for a long time,” Hickson said. “I’m proud to be part of what we’re doing here in Lee County Schools.”
For an educator whose own journey began with the transformative influence of JROTC, helping the next generation discover the same potential is more than a profession. It is a promise fulfilled and a legacy still being written.