Sergeant Terry Barber came to campus with a goal of creating a professional, high performing and competitive student military corps that not only strives in competition, but also in the community. Coming up on his 20th year in his position. Barber reflects on the legacy he is leaving.
“At the beginning, I envisioned the program being a staple of the community and having students come in to make something out of themselves,” Barber said. “Some students come in and they don’t fit into any of the ‘’categories’ on campus … then they come in here and they tend to flourish a lot more than they would if they joined a different kind of team on campus.”
Kickstarting the ROTC program, Barber envisioned the corps to be a place where he could help shape students into good citizens, setting them up to thrive in their community. Over time, these students continue to uphold his expectations, even surpassing them.
“It’s a lot of self discipline on their part,” Barber said. I was a bit of a disciplinarian when I first came here because I was coming off of 30 years of active duty. I try to instill leadership skills, as well as life skills.” When I send my kids out after high school, I want them to be able to function as a part of society and as a citizen of this town.”
Barber has set a high standard for the students to uphold. Over the past 20 years, not only has he made the program a high performing competition team but also works to make each student the best person they can be.
“I want them to be able to go out and not only represent Rocklin and this high school, but themselves in a professional manner,” Barber said. “I tell them all the time that when it comes time for me to retire, [it’s because] I know that I put good people out into the world and I can sit on my porch and drink my iced tea without worrying.”
Six years ago, Barber was joined by staff member Major Jennifer Pearl. Pearl previously served in the Air Force for 22 years and joined the ROTC program to stay connected to the military and guide the future leaders of America.
“Sergeant Barber has been my counterpart, my right hand, we’re one of two, just a dedicated team,” Major Pearl said. “His retirement is definitely a huge loss that we’ll have to navigate, but the one thing the military has taught us is that flexibility is the key to airpower. We have to learn, adapt and adjust to try and fulfill the impact Sergeant Barber is leaving.”
Barber said he is not worried for what’s to come, as he is confident in the hands he is leaving the program in. Pearl is the first female instructor on campus, as well as the first female Sergeant Barber has instructed with.
“When I leave I just want to make sure everything stays intact and Major Pearl is going to do that,” Barber said. “She is a great gal [and] very professional in what she does. I see that she has the talent and pride for the unit to carry on.”
After 20 years, Sergeant Barber said he needs to prioritize himself.
“I am gonna take care of myself for a little bit here and then I am going to take care of my wife,” Barber said. “She has sacrificed a lot of Saturdays in which we do most of the things here [for the ROTC program]. I’ve heard everyone talk about these cruises and stuff, I have to check it out once,” Barber said.
Barber has been involved with the ROTC program for so long that his life skills and guidance is now instilled within students through his teachings.
“He has been a mentor and big leader for everything so that’s kind of the impact he’s had, I’ve had someone to look up to.” Jackson Kessler said.
Sergeant Barber is leaving the campus knowing that he left it in great hands.
“My final piece of advice to leave here is that Whitney is a great campus [that everyone should] take care of,” Barber said. “In the future I’ll say I’m glad I worked there. I just want to make sure that when I leave, everything stays intact or even better than it is right now.”
by ALLIE BASANO, NATALIE DEEBLE, KALLISSA GREGG & SASHA SMITH
