The Importance Of Being An Active Citizen

Throughout my NJROTC career, my instructors have taught me many lessons: how to drill, how to speak to others with tact, how to shoot an air rifle, and how to get jobs done. These lessons will, no doubt, stick with me throughout my adult life. Some of these teachings combined have helped me to embody one of the most important parts of the Cadet Creed: “I strive…to become an informed and responsible citizen.” Through discussions of current events, debates on political matters, and a constant emphasis on the importance of honor and duty, my Senior Naval Science Instructor (SNSI) has prepared me to be an active citizen in our modern society. Knowledge of current events is absolutely essential when it comes to being an informed citizen. Opinions

Honor, Courage, and Commitment were expected from cadets, but LCDR Klag did not just expect us to act accordingly, he taught us how we could live by these values. As an active citizen, one must always be honorable in that we follow the laws and ordinances of the government, as it is rather difficult to play a part in the political process from prison. One must also require their representatives in our government to be men and women of honor and vote only for those who abide by the rules of their office and the laws of the land. Active citizens must also have the courage to speak out against dishonorable deeds by our government, as well as the fortitude to stand for what they feel is just. The final Core Value, Commitment, provides the basis for civic duty and civic responsibility, because if one is committed to their nation, one must be committed to the fundamental concepts of democracy that govern it. The American people have a duty to follow the laws and pay their taxes, as well as the responsibility to vote in all elections, local, state, and national, participate in jury duty, respect the rights of their fellow citizens, and hold our representatives accountable for what they do in our government. These things I did not learn from my parents or on my own, I learned from my