Guy Delahoussay: JROTC offers leadership, technical skills and campus pathways at Southside High

Guy Delahoussay, a retired Navy commander and the senior naval science instructor at Southside High School, told the Jackson Madison County Schools podcast that JROTC is a "citizenship development program" that emphasizes leadership and career-ready skills rather than military recruitment. "We are not recruiters," Delahoussay said, adding that instructors share experiences so students can consider options after high school.

Delahoussay described JROTC as one of many career and technical education (CTE) pathways available in the district. Host Greg Hammond noted Southside's CTE offerings include welding, horticulture, nursing, audiovisual production, and construction systems'the latter produced a tiny house built by students. Delahoussay highlighted that Southside houses both ASE-certified auto body and automotive repair programs and called that combination "tremendous." He said the program began the school year with about 72 students and currently has roughly 45 this semester, with additional students expected in the second semester.

The instructor framed the classroom component around leadership and life skills. "We start with them at freshman year just to understand their goals and their dreams," Delahoussay said. He described two course strands he teaches this semester: a leadership class that examines leaders such as Admiral McRaven and Colin Powell and a personal finance class he called essential because "everyone's gonna pay taxes, so let's learn about the tax system."

Delahoussay also described JROTC's role in campus life. Beyond classroom work, cadets participate in color guard and community events, volunteer at parades, and collaborate in extracurricular programs. He said his robotics program is a collaborative effort with a mixed team of cadets and other Southside students; that team was invited to a national competition in Ohio in January. "It's a collaborative effort with the overall student population to just give them a new opportunity to showcase their talents," he said.

Students described hands-on learning across the district. Renee Vogel, a senior at Liberty, said work at the Liberty Barn gives students practical experience in small- and large-animal care and vet science labs: "You really get the chance to learn a lot ' we've drawn blood. We've taken temperature. We've done just about everything to keep these animals in tip top shape." Vogel said she plans to study veterinary science at the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Delahoussay emphasized program flexibility so students can balance JROTC with athletics, theater and outside jobs. On selecting color guard participants, he said his goal is "to teach every student how to be a member of the color guard" at their level of comfort so the program maintains a deep bench.

For families choosing a high school track, Delahoussay urged them to explore options and use open enrollment to find a fit: he praised Southside's staff and intervention supports and said students should be permitted to change paths as they mature. The podcast closed with standard distribution and contact information for Jackson Madison County Schools and a reminder that episode content is available on the district's YouTube channel and streaming platforms.

The Jackson Madison County Schools podcast episode provides a local overview of how JROTC fits within district CTE offerings, including robotics and ASE-certified trade classes, and highlights hands-on learning that some students say steers postsecondary plans. For more information about open enrollment and program locations, the district directs families to jmcss.org.