Retired Marine Tapped to Be New ROTC Commander for Romeoville High School

This press release was provided by Valley View School District 365U:

U.S. Marine Corps Major (Ret.) Mark Placey is a born leader.

But now, s new Marine Junior ROTC Unit Commander says, “it’s time to take my knowledge and help young folks become leaders.”

Placey is both an educator and a pilot, a unique combination for RHS’ elite ROTC unit that is recognized as one of the top ROTC units in the Chicago area.

A graduate of Millikin University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in physical education and a minor in math, Placey admits he wanted “to keep challenging myself physically” when he graduated from college. So he headed for Officer Candidate School and an eventual career as a pilot on F4s and F18s.

Upon retirement after 20 years with the Marines, he joined American Airlines, piloting Boeing 737s for another 10 years. He spent his spare hours coaching football at Montini Catholic High School, College of DuPage and Benedictine University.

“I like working with young people and I always intended to go back into education,” he said, recalling his decision to leave American. “I just decided it was time for a change.”

Placey has already assumed his new duties and said he is “very impressed” with the ROTC program specifically and Romeoville High School in general “especially the administration and the parents.”