The first time students at Thomson High School pick up a drone controller, their hands are tense and uncertain. By the time they master complex flight courses, they realize they are learning much more than how to fly. They are uncovering career paths they never knew existed in their rural Georgia community. 

Under the guidance of NJROTC Naval Science Instructor Chief Pharaoh McMillian, a 22-year Navy veteran, students begin with five-foot-diameter hoops that feel “really easy to fly through” before progressing to precision maneuvers that mirror real-world professional applications. The approach works. His cadets have earned first and third-place finishes in regional Navy JROTC competitions, with some now preparing for national-level events.

Program Grounded

Despite that success, the harsh mathematics of a school budget began to overwhelm the program. McMillian had built something remarkable “using the materials we had and the fundraiser we had to run,” but the infrastructure could not support the growing demand. As more students joined, equipment failures accelerated beyond the program’s ability to keep pace. 

“We ran out of spare parts to fix the things that we had broken, and so we were kind of on pause,” McMillian said. 

The Rescue Call 

The pause ended with a nearly $5,000 grant from HireSmart Cares, a foundation created by entrepreneurs Mark and Anne Lackey to invest in youth career development. 

The connection came through First Sergeant Francisco Ramey, who partners with HireSmart Cares to train students in drone programs nationwide. When McMillian told him the team was “dead in the water,” Ramey recognized an opportunity to support proven innovation in rural education. Not only did he connect Thomson High School with HireSmart funding, he also agreed to demonstrate at a drone showcase event, bringing professional equipment to show what is possible. 

With adequate resources secured, McMillian could pursue his ultimate goal, preparing students for the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation’s national program, where they tackle advanced challenges in programming autonomous flights and artificial intelligence applications. These opportunities had previously been out of reach. 

The HireSmart grant funded 10 drones (1 Holy Stone, 2 G9 models, and 7 CoDrone EDU units), power packs, an RECF competition field kit, and a reserve for future maintenance and training. The total investment came to $4,883. 

“Now, we can kick start it to the next level,” McMillian said. 

From Anxiety to Mastery 

Each year, 120 students complete McMillian’s regular curriculum with hands-on drone exposure, while a core group of 10–12 cadets pursue competitions and exhibitions. The reach extends even further through elementary school outreach that introduces younger students to the technology. 

McMillian knows confidence takes time. Students often arrive with “lots of anxiety, some fear, some apprehension,” partly because they do not want to “break the toys” and partly because drone flight is not like a video game. In real life, releasing the controller does not pause the action. Drones follow the laws of physics, a realization that transforms nervousness into excitement as students gain control and say, “I’m able to do this.” 

When they master their first complex maneuver, McMillian draws the connection to professional applications. Those “toys” mirror sophisticated systems worth tens of thousands of dollars, operated by professionals in agriculture, emergency services, construction, and other fields. Many industries are eager for skilled operators who often get their start in high school programs like this. 

“We’re showing them that even though we’re playing with toys, we got bigger versions of these toys to do adult-level work,” he said.

“The drone team has allowed me to connect being part of a team to everyday life by applying the academic components of STEM, problem solving, and preparing for future careers in military service, aviation, and technology,” said Cadet Petty Officer Third Class Demarrion Jackson, a junior in his third year with the drone program. 

“This program has not only enriched my high school years but has also equipped me with valuable skills and experiences that will benefit me in my future endeavors,” Cadet Chief Petty Officer Demareia Kitchens, a junior in her third year with the program. “I am grateful for the opportunities provided by the NJROTC drone program and am excited to continue exploring the possibilities it offers.” 

Navy to Classroom 

McMillian’s ability to bridge classroom learning with real-world careers comes from his own 22 years as a Navy aviation electronics technician working on E-2C Surveillance aircraft, P-3 Reconnaissance aircraft, and F/A-18 fighter jets. He rose through the ranks to eventually being responsible for maintenance crews of up to 150 Sailors, ensuring they were trained and fully capable of maintaining sophisticated aircraft systems. That expertise now translates directly to understanding how drone technology works and where it fits in the workforce. 

The drive to mentor students stems from gratitude. At W.P. Davidson High School in Mobile, Alabama, McMillian found father figures in Master Chief Jerome King and Captain Mike Clapsadl, who helped shape his life path. 

“I’m trying to live up to what they saw in me and what they tried to impress upon me, and I’m trying to give that back to young people,” said McMillian. “If it wasn’t for them, there’s no telling how my life would have ended up.” 

Full Circle 

McMillian’s appreciation for HireSmart Cares and its co-founders extends beyond financial support to their philosophy of investing in future generations. 

“The Bible says that we should spend our time, talents, and treasures on one another,” said McMillian. “If their (HireSmart’s) way of giving back is to spend their treasures on people they may never see or never meet, then I would say to them, thank you very much for being good-hearted people, for thinking about the future generations in America. We definitely need more adults thinking about the future, or America will not survive. I appreciate that they’re being servant leaders.” 

For Thomson High School students, what began as shaky hands on a controller now feels like a launchpad. With partners like HireSmart Cares, schools across America can give young people the same chance to discover new wings. 

HireSmart Cares is a Georgia-based 501(c)(3) that provides time, tools, teaching, and technology to K–12 students so that they graduate with skills and perspectives needed for meaningful careers without the burden of college debt. Educators with innovative approaches to preparing students for industry-relevant skills can apply for a HireSmart Cares grant at hiresmartcares.org/ideas-application.