Now in it’s second year of service at Knox Central, the Panther Battalion JROTC program has received national recognition as an approved program. The Institute of Heraldry at Fort Belvoir, VA has approved the school’s unit patch and crest as official United States Army recognized emblems.
“From a military standpoint, this is a vey big thing,” stated Keith Hembree, instructor and retired Command Sergeant Major.
The unit patch is worn by cadets on their ACU uniforms and the crest is a pin that adorns the Class B and Class uniform.
“The symbolism is wording that the Institute of Heraldry assigned to the emblems”, stated Hembree.
The crest includes the words leadership, honor, and respect. Leadership alludes to the development of traits which influence others to follow them in a positive and productive way. Honor refers to the cadets carrying on a long tradition of excellence within the JROTC program. Respect, suggests the way cadets should treat themselves in making good and sound decisions and in their treatment of others.
The crest was designed by Regina Ratcliff, aunt of Cadet Captain Rick Jones, and the patch was designed by Ashley Hembree.