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WCSD ROTC Leader Wins Prestigious National Award
Reno, NV (July 28, 2011) - The leader of Washoe County School District's Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program is being recognized on a national level. Each year the US Army Cadet Command chooses outstanding individuals either teaching JROTC or supporting the JROTC programs nationwide. LTC Norbert Czech, the Director of Army Instruction (DAI) for the Washoe County School District was recently recognized as the DAI of the Year.
A DAI is authorized in any school district that has a minimum of five Army JROTC program and there are only 52 DAI's in the United States.
Superintendent Heath Morrison says the award is a reflection of LTC Czech's dedication to the program. "We have some of the of the best JROTC programs in the country at our high schools with the highest participation rate. Our students are great representatives for the military at their schools under the leadership of LTC Czech. This award is a recognition of the excellence of our JROTC programs."
In the Washoe County School District more than 2000 students participate in high school ROTC in one of 11 programs. There are eight Army programs, an Air Force program at North Valleys and two Navy ROTC programs at Reed and Damonte Ranch High Schools.
John Carlson, Principal of McQueen High School, says LTC Czech is a proactive leader and insures that all of the JROTC instructors have the tools and training they need to be effective. "LTC Czech provides every school with the type of positive leadership that demonstrates a true commitment to student success. His energy and professionalism make him a perfect fit to lead the WCSD Brigade."
LTC Czech also works with the Operations SGM and his Military Property Specialist to provide operational and logistical support to all eight JROTC programs. He holds regularly scheduled instructor training and meetings that keep the standards of performance high.
Mark A. Pratt, Chief JROTC Operations Department of the Army, 8th Brigade, ROTC says one of the attributes of an outstanding DAI is their work ethic. "LTC Czech makes our job easier at the 8th Brigade ROTC Headquarters by getting all reports and funding requests submitted accurately and on time, every time. He makes the job of the WCSD JROTC instructors easier by insuring that they have the necessary training and equipment so they can focus on their students, spending less time on administrative requirements."
Pratt concluded by saying LTC Czech's professionalism and leadership can be observed at any JROTC event in Washoe County. "His efforts insure that the JROTC programs are meeting the JROTC mission statement 'To motivate young people to be better citizens'."
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About Washoe County School District: The Washoe County School District includes the Reno/Sparks metropolitan area, Incline Village, Gerlach, Empire and Wadsworth, Nevada. The District provides each of its 63,000 students with a superior education in a safe and challenging environment and is committed to graduate every child career and college ready.
For more information visit www.washoecountyschools.org. Follow us on Twitter at WCSDTweet.
Washoe County School District
425 East Ninth Street
Reno, NV 89520
