NJROTC instructor looking for new journeys in retirement

Lt. Clay Ostergren [Order this photo]

One began with every freshman class the officer instructed in schools like Bloomfield High School, where he retired in May.

"The most rewarding thing was seeing different classes of cadets start out, where they were fresh, and they really didn't know anything, and then watching them mature into responsible young leaders, and great citizens."

The other path was the one Ostergren, a veteran officer, took to get here. He spent 10 1/2 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a captain, then started anew in the Navy, spending another 10 1/2 years before retiring as a lieutenant from active military service.

A seminar about the NJROTC, taken as part of his transition into retirement, showed Ostergren how he'd wind up spending his next 17 years. The officer, 62, liked what he saw and applied the skills he'd learned instructing doctors, lawyers and nurses in officer indoctrination school.

"I didn't know anything about NJROTC at that point, " he said. "It was exactly what I wanted to do."

Upon leaving the Navy, he began instructing Boston NJROTC courses, staying for two years before he moved to Greensboro, N.C., then Washington, Ind., spending four years at each school.

He then moved to Tulsa, Okla., where he spent one year before returning to Indiana to culminate his career at Bloomfield. He spent his longest tenure as commander there, serving six-and-a-half years, and said the school was a great place to finish.

"Bloomfield is my favorite school of all of my schools. It's such a supportive community, he said. "The people of Bloomfield really love the NJROTC program, and the whole experience has been very positive. I wouldn't trade the experience for the world."

It's a common misconception that a majority of NJROTC cadets enter the military after high school. In reality, on average only about 28 percent of cadets nationwide choose to join the service post-graduation, Ostergren said. Bloomfield's program posted similar numbers during his time here.

"Some years, we'd have more than that go into the military, and some years less, but it averaged around 30 percent. What we really are doing is making great citizens, he said.

What the program does more often, rather than train military personnel, is to train students in discipline, manners and citizenship, he said.

Ostergren's replacement must be approved by the Navy, said Bloomfield School Superintendent Dan Sichting. Thus far, three candidates have emerged, though the search is ongoing.

"He's done an amazing job with the program," Sitchting said.

Senior Chief Thomas Tippery continues to work with the NJROTC program.

Ostergren said the key to a successful NJROTC program may lie in giving the students an array of activities.

"The advice I would have is to try to develop a program that is as active as possible. The young people in Bloomfield are attracted to a lot of different activities...the more things you do, the more fun that they have."

Meanwhile, Ostergren intends to travel with his wife Linda on treks to New England and Florida.

He's readying his RV to depart following a retirement party, slated for July 19 at the Eastside Park in Washington, Ind.

"We will commence travelling. I love to travel," the veteran officer said.

An avid square dancer and round dancer. Ostergren also enjoys reading and staying physically fit.

A former native of Portland, Conn., Ostergren and his wife have two daughters and three grandchildren.

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