Chief David Scaramazzo and Warrant Officer John Keifer want students to know that they will always be there to help no matter what. The Navy Junior Reserves Officers Training Corps teachers are the people in their students’ corner. They would not care if it’s 20 versus one, they are right there with the students. Scaramazzo and Kiefer listen to students, and don’t just push them off like other teachers do.
These two teachers, who NJROTC students call Chief and Warrant, will actually listen to problems and help students get through them. Scaramazzo and Keifer’s room is a safe place for kids. They make sure students know by reminding them at least once a week.
Chief David Scaramazzo’s official title is Navy Science instructor for Anderson High School NJROTC. His rank in the US Navy is Chief Petty Officer. It took him just over 14 years to become a Chief. Scaramazzo said, “The coolest thing I did in the military was being stationed with 3 of my brothers all on the same base in Hawaii.”
Scaramazzo retired from the Navy so he could move closer and be a father to his kids. Then he started teaching at AHS. He has been teaching at the school for 7 years now.
Chief Warrant Officer John Keifer is the senior Naval Science instructor for Anderson High School Navy JROTC. Keifer did 20 years in the Marine Corps for his rank. Keifer said the coolest part of the military for him was, “deploying all over the world and seeing different cultures.” Keifer retired from the Marines because he was tired of moving. He came to Anderson because a job was available and the pay was good.
If you want to join ROTC go talk to the Chief and Warrant Officer and they will put in a word to your counselor and try their best to get you in the class.
Keifer engages students that are not interested by making them feel comfortable with class. These teachers want students to know that NJROTC is a fun class to be a part of. That doesn’t mean that ROTC is just a place to goof around. You can get kicked out by cheating, stealing or being disrespectful to other teachers.
“Talk to your counselor about joining or come see me or chief and we will try and get you in the program,” Kiefer said. “We’re not here to force [students] into the military, just to try and straighten them up.”
