From gang life to good deeds
Chief Warrant Officer Ronald McMiller receives GAP Award
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Teacher, Chief Warrant Officer Ronald McMiller Jr. received the national “Standing in the GAP” award.
This category highlights individuals making a mark in their respective communities, city, state, and/or country by mentoring and acting as role models/leaders to fellow adults, the younger generation, or even charities and organizations,” said Library Media Specialist Kristi Patton.
McMiller has been recognized because of his outstanding character as a teacher, his community service, and his writing. Over the years, he has enriched the lives of others through his kindness and consideration.
“[The award] signifies accomplishments for community service, helping the youth and elders,” said McMiller. “It takes me back to always giving. It takes me back to my heroes before me who have paved the way so I can be able to do what I’m doing today.”
In life, it is clear that not everyone is given the same luck of the draw, and McMiller had nothing short of a rough start.
“I often say I live more than two lives,” McMiller said. “I joined a gang when I was maybe thirteen years old, but I [was taught] how to respect so, with that, I believe I have lived through the poverty and I have lived through the abuse.”
His life in the military was another huge factor in the building blocks of the person that he has become.
“I had never slept on a bed until I joined the military,” McMiller said. “When I joined the military, [having] my first bed—which we call a ‘bunk’—was the biggest highlight of my life.”
Over the course of his 28 years of military service, McMiller has documented his experiences in his books My 34 Day Memoir in Haiti: From Whence We Come and Empowerment Through Creativity.
He teaches JROTC students military lessons and life skills. He tries to inspire them, but he is also just as inspired by them.
Chief Warrent Officer Ronald McMiller hands out candy as NJROTC makes brown paper bag lunches for those in need during the winter. “He has a very demanding but strong vibe that makes everyone want to follow his courageous leadership,” said senior Jonathon Ramirez.
“Presently, today [my heroes] would be my students,” said McMiller. “I’ve been here four years and out of four years every class has impacted me in a certain way, seeing them when we go out to a veteran’s home or when we go out to do a community service project and [observing] how they interact with their elders.”
McMiller tries to teach his students many life skills that are important to “being a civilized human being.” He takes the things he has learned over the years and models leadership.
“He teaches how to be a better citizen and how to conduct yourself in the public in a meaningful manner,” said senior Jerome Lawrence. “He teaches proper etiquette and helps us improve. He’s fair to everyone and he gives everyone equal opportunities to succeed and improve upon their character.”
McMiller is incredibly humble about his success.
“Through trials and tribulations, I have had failures as a leader and I have had success as a leader,” McMiller said. “But an old leader told me once: ‘You can’t be a leader unless you are an outstanding follower.’ So I had to learn to be an outstanding follower to grow up to be a leader. [Now], at this present day and time, I believe I am a pretty good leader.”
McMiller has been recognized for his benevolent works in his community, truly becoming an inspiration to everyone around him. He received his award on October 5, in Atlanta, Georgia.
