Erick Juarez and Adam Anderson, two former Bainbridge High School Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet Corp Commanders who went on to the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., talked about their experiences, during a recent visit to Bainbridge.

Accompanying them was Decatur County Administrator Colonel Gary Breedlove, who is the former Bainbridge High School Air Force junior ROTC program director, and the program’s founder.

Juarez, son of Loreto and Maricela Juarez, was cadet corps commander at Bainbridge High School and system-wide STAR student in 2010. He spent his freshman year at West Point, where he was a member of the band. He is now a pre-medical major at Harvard University.

Anderson, son of April and Barry Bostwick and cadet corp commander in 2011, is a West Point sophomore, majoring in engineering.

In addition to ROTC at Bainbridge High School, Juarez was a member of the band and the cross-country team and Anderson was a member of the golf team. Both were members of the national honor society.

Juarez and Anderson said their parents, as well as Breedlove, inspired them to excel in ROTC and at West Point. Breedlove described both men as great leaders.

Juarez said Decatur County School System Director of Bands Paschal Ward was also one of his role models.

“I am at Harvard now, but my military experience at Bainbridge High School and at West Point was great and will benefit me the rest of my life,” he said.

Anderson said Lt. Col. Dave Stewart, who succeeded Breedlove and was Air Force Junior ROTC director his senior year at Bainbridge High School, also inspired him.