German exchange student joins local junior ROTC

  • Published
  • By Airman Ashley J. Thum
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Douglas High School's Air Force junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps recently received a dose of European culture after opening its doors to an unconventional student.

Julian Kandt, Douglas High School Air Force junior ROTC cadet, who hails from Cologne, Germany, is spending his first time in the U.S. learning about military life and history while studying as a high school senior.

Kandt, who was placed at Douglas High School with the help of the EF Foundation for Foreign Study, said his interest in history and the military prompted him to join the program. Interested in becoming a pilot for the German Air Force, he added the junior ROTC atmosphere has benefited him.

"My teachers and classmates take the (AF) core values - integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do - very seriously," Kandt explained. "They're not just empty phrases for them. Procedures, such as wearing the uniform, have taught me to take responsibility for things. I think I am much more self-reliant now."

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Russell Johnson, Douglas High School AF junior ROTC aerospace science instructor, said cadets in the program learn more than just the proper wear of the AF uniform. They are also educated on several aspects of military service and life.

"They learn leadership and management principles, aerospace science, and each one of them averages about 35 hours of community service each year," Johnson added. "We also do color guard, parades and we have a drill team."

Retired Lt. Col. Marshall Miller, Douglas High School AF junior ROTC senior aerospace science instructor, said Douglas High School's junior ROTC has been in the top 10 percent in the world for seven years in a row.

"We're a leadership program, and not just from book learning - our cadets have many opportunities to apply what they learn," Miller said.

Jodie Tadlock, Douglas High School principal's secretary and Kandt's host mother, said she and her family have been hosting foreign exchange students on and off for 10 years, and believes exposing children to different cultures is very important.

"Douglas High School is fortunate to have such a strong military family presence," Tadlock said. "It's always nice when a school has an outside perspective."

Tadlock added Kandt has fit in well with her family, as he and her husband, Kent, who retired from the AF in 2009, share many of the same interests.

"He (Kandt) is really enjoying the experience," Tadlock said. "He loves to help Kent with woodworking projects, and he is also addicted to the History Channel. Kent is a real history buff, also, so it's nice for him to have someone to talk with."

Miller spent eight years in various parts of Europe while he was on active duty, and said he has enjoyed interacting with someone who is from that part of the world. He added the school has hosted many foreign exchange students during his time on the faculty, an experience that benefits the entire school.

"It's nice to speak again with someone from a culture that I greatly admire," Miller said. "He reminds me a great deal of my son-in-law and even my grandsons. Julian has been an absolute joy to have in class and in the entire school."

Kandt said he encourages other students to participate in a foreign exchange program, adding he feels he has grown more during his time in the U.S. than in the past three years at home. Although he was nervous at first, he said he has thoroughly enjoyed himself and is thankful for the opportunity.

"I really enjoy every minute here," Kandt said. "This will be something I will miss when I have to go back. It was one of the best decisions I have made."