JROTC student takes early start to military career

Image
  • White County High School’s Tori McDuffie is shown during a JROTC Raider competition. (Submitted photo)
    White County High School’s Tori McDuffie is shown during a JROTC Raider competition. (Submitted photo)
  • Tori McDuffie
    Tori McDuffie
Body

Tori McDuffie, a rising senior at White County High School, recently completed basic training over the summer through the Army National Guard’s Split Training Option.

McDuffie is battalion commander for the high school JROTC and part of the WCHS Raider competition squad. She shipped out for split program in late May and her Aug. 6 graduation was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

McDuffie says she gained much during training, included added perspective beyond one’s self, but also one’s company and platoon.

“It definitely makes you look at the bigger picture,” she said.

The program also provided several occasions that tested her mental and physical endurance, such as a 12-mile march carrying 45 pounds of gear, with minimal breaks and no sleep.

“I learned that I was a lot stronger than I thought I was,” she said, adding that experience can carry over into civilian life. “It makes you look at yourself and think you can do anything.”

After graduating high school, McDuffie is expected to begin Advanced Individual Training to get hands-on training and field instruction related to a specific Army career. She then plans to enter the military program at the University of North Georgia with the intent of entering the Army as a commissioned officer.