A group of Monmouth County JR-ROTC students will be giving back to the community by volunteering at the annual Seaside Semper Five Marine charity 5K.

The 20 out of more than 90 cadets at Brick Memorial High School will help set up the course, hand out water around the route and cheer on the participants.

“When it comes to the Semper Five, we love getting to interact with the other service members, whether retired coming to support, or they’re active,” says senior Joseph Podesta.

The students say that being there to provide support to the runners is one of the most important jobs.

“It helps them go on and make it to the finish line. Sometimes they want to just stop and just give up. But hearing the cheering usually helps them want to keep going,” says junior Candace Elk.

The race is hosted by the Marines and raises money for the Marine Raider Foundation. But these Air Force ROTC students say it doesn't matter which branch of the military is running the race, they will be there to support anyone in the community who needs it.

“We might be called different branches but overall we’re all serving our country and we’re giving back to the people,” says senior Dominick Vitone.

“We want to let them know that the next generation of Americans is looking up to them and respects them and we want to encourage them to continue to do the great things they are doing for our country,” says Major Donovan Davis.

The Brick JR-ROTC students do many other community-based projects throughout the school year. Some of the students say that they plan to pursue a military career after college.

News 12 New Jersey is proud to be sponsoring the Seaside Semper Five race once again this year.