Twelve years ago, I raised my right hand and swore an oath to support and defend this nation against all enemies foreign and domestic. I enlisted as a Medic because I wanted to save lives. 5 years ago my career switched paths and allows me to save lives in a different way.
In 1993 the United States Congress Determined that the Drop-Out rate was a domestic crisis (1.2 million students every year). 1993 is the year that our nation called in the National Guard to serve the at-risk students in our states. The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program's mission is to intervene in and reclaim the lives of 16-18 year old high school drop-outs and students at risk of dropping out. Program graduates leave with the values, life-skills, education, and self-discipline to succeed as productive citizens. There are three programs in California to ensure that ALL California's youth are able to take advantage of this opportunity.
The Academy is voluntary. It cannot be forced by parents or ordered by a judge. Students commit to a 22 week residential, quasi-military, credit recovery program where they will earn at least 65 high school credits towards their diploma.
My goal is to borrow your most high-risk student. The student who you have pulled out every card in the deck and still is not showing up to school or who is still not on track to graduate. I want to borrow them for 22 weeks and return them to you with better study habits, self-discipline, and overall goal to succeed.
Come check out my presentation "The Military's Role in serving our At-Risk Youth" to find out more about my passion as well as my mission.

--Chief