Fifteen students enrolled in the U.S. Navy JROTC program at Richards High School participated in the Basic Leadership Training program at the U.S. National Guard training base in Marsailles. (Supplied photos)
U.S. Navy JROTC students from Richards High School students learn basic first aid at Basic Leadership Training at the U.S. National Guard training base in Marsailles.

Summer for high school students typically means making some money, heading to the beach, and spending time with family on vacations.

For students enrolled in the U.S. Navy JROTC program at Richards High School, summer also offers the chance to learn about life as a military officer.

More than a dozen recently spent a week at Basic Leadership Training.  Hosted by the U.S. National Guard training base in Marseilles, BLT offered a varied menu of fun and challenging activities.

Students trained physically, learned first aid, completed uniform inspections, ate MREs (meals ready to eat), and participated in a range of team-building activities.

The group from Bulldog Company comprised part of the nearly 150 U.S. Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps students from the Chicago area at BLT.