Every year, Chuck commits to traveling to all62 counties in New York to meet with constituents.
On May 16, 2016, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the U.S. Army to establish a full-fledged Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program at Albany High School. Schumer explained that Albany is currently running an unfunded version of the Army’s JROTC program, called the National Defense Cadet Corps (NDCC). Albany High School’s NDCC calls itself “The Henry Johnson Battalion,” after the famed WWI African American soldier from Albany, NY who fought off a German raiding party in the Argonne Forest, all while saving his sentry partner and unit in the process. Schumer said that, as we mark the 98th Anniversary of the “Battle of Henry Johnson,” it is unfair that this very successful pre-military program has been forced to cap its program at 75 students due to lack of funds and resources. Schumer therefore urged the Army to fully recognize Albany High School’s NDCC as an official JROTC program, which would open it up to the federal funding it needs to expand and provide more students looking to serve their community and give them the training and skills they need to pursue a career in military service.