MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. -- As the platoons form on an early Tuesday morning, a Marine lieutenant colonel stands up and walks towards the first platoon, time on deck is 9:30 a.m. The Marine comes to attention in front of the first member of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps; the student salutes and continues on to say his rank and name. Then the Marine starts to drill the student with questions about basic military knowledge.
"Who is the Secretary of Defense? What is your fifth general order?" said the inspecting Marine, Lt. Col. Danny Strand, base executive officer.
Antelope Valley High School Navy JROTC in Lancaster, Calif., held it's Annual Military Inspection March 7.
The JROTC is made up of more than 150 students and three instructors; retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Martin Jones, instructor in charge, retired Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Gloria Acoste and retired Navy Chief Israel Gaddi.
Every other year, the program has an active duty military service member serve as a guest inspector. This year, Strand was invited to come and inspect the members of the JROTC.
"With me ending my career of 34 years, inspecting these kids who are just beginning theirs was a good ending to my career. They are great young men and women who are using this program to become better citizens," said Strand.
"This is a great program that offers many lessons that the military offers like responsibility, integrity, honesty, service, and most of all respect," Strand said after inspecting the students and seeing what the program instills in students.
Throughout his career in the Marine Corps, which started Aug. 28, 1972 as a private first class, Strand has been very successful. His 34-year career will come to an end when he retires Sept. 1.
He has served as a drill instructor, promoted to chief warrant officer, and later selected for the Degree Completion Program where he graduated magna cum laude from Park University.
"I have had two great loves of my life, the Marine Corps of 34 years and my wife of 31 years," said Strand. "Even though I don't want to, it is time for me to retire so the next generation of Marines can get promoted."
After completing the inspection students returned to the stands while others were inspected.
"I am very impressed [with Strand]. He looks like he upholds Marine standards and is the ideal Marine," said Cadet Lt. j.g. Flor Arevalo, 11th grader from Antelope Valley High School.
Following the inspection, the students formed up for the pass and review.
"I am envious of those young Marines who are just starting their career. I wish I was 17 years old again, so I could start over and do it again," said Strand.
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