I had moved from the Panama City area down to Homestead solely because of the JROTC program: my last program and school was overall toxic and unbearable. When I first contacted Colonel Bugeja regarding the program, he and I had a long discussion regarding my background, my leadership positions and so on. I officially joined Homestead Senior High School in August as one of his cadets in Staff. Colonel Bugeja is incredibly knowledgeable, understanding and has been an amazing mentor and instructor: much better than my last unit. He has reignited my spark for JROTC and has given me (and many other Staff cadets) a sense of security within his classroom. While I’m constantly busy with doing things for him, it’s been incredibly fulfilling. I’m not particularly a talkative person unless it’s somewhere I feel most comfortable, and that somewhere is JROTC. I’ve had happier days here and I find myself constantly smiling—even when there’s frustrating times. I am slowly opening up to him more and more daily, going from slightly intimidated to incredibly safe around him. I feel as if I can confide in him with anything, even if I don’t outwardly say it. Truthfully, he is like a second parental/father figure to me. More to the point: firstly, what makes me excited to go to his class is the fact that I can get more hands on work done, and get my fair share of guidance from him. He and I sit down and discuss certain things regarding the program: for example, the Purple Star Program here at Homestead Senior High—it is our Military-Connected Children program. Additionally, I am put in multiple areas of the unit due to my experience. Secondly, I know that he cares about me with his actions. Just recently, I had a rough morning and shut down. He recognized this and checked on me, allowing me to have some space. He let me know that things were going to get better, and they eventually did. To add on, he has told me numerous times that I was “a blessing to the unit” and that has stuck with me. It helps me strive to be a better leader. Thirdly, his trust in me and reassurance keeps me going. With my experience, he trusts me to get things done correctly—with a smile on my face too. I’ve held no complaints and continued onward with my given tasks. No matter the difficultly, he still reassures me that I’m doing good. Finally, support from in and out of the classroom: an exponential amount. He makes himself available to all of his cadets, giving them a chance to excel at whatever they do. He always says he wants to “develop citizens of character”, our mission statement. Daily, he inspires his cadets and exceeds with the mission statement. I have only known him for half of a school year, but I can say with full confidence he is one of, if not my favorite instructor I’ve had in the entirety of my JROTC experience—he is on the same regard as my first Colonel from my first unit. Each day for me is so much better, knowing that I have a place in this unit, in his classroom, and can feel like I can breathe for once. I am incredibly grateful for him, because his guidance and teaching is one of the reasons I’ve not only continued the JROTC program, but have something to look forward to in my life. Even though I don’t tell him how appreciative I am of him often, I hope to have done him justice for all he has done for me, and my fellow Staff cadets. I am extremely ecstatic to be one of his cadets.