HERMISTON, Ore.-Hermiston High School’s Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program recently hosted its first drill meet and competition.
A total of 286 JROTC cadets from schools in Washington and Oregon, representing Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps programs participated in a full day of competition, leadership development, and collaboration on February 21.
Hermiston High School’s JROTC program is still in its first year, and the inaugural drill meet, which brought together cadets, instructors, and supporters from around the region, took months of planning, according to the Hemiston School District.
Cadets at the drill meet competed in Platoon Armed and Unarmed Regulation Drill and Ceremony, Individual, Dual, Quad, and Platoon Exhibition events, Sporter and Precision Rifle Marksmanship, as well as Physical Fitness challenges.
Each competition tested precision, focus, coordination, and readiness, while reinforcing the tenets of leadership and accountability and highlighting the dedication, discipline and teamwork that define JROTC programs, according to the district.
JROTC is a national program, currently operating in over 1,700 high schools, military institutions and correctional centers across the country and overseas, with the mission to “motivate young people to be better citizens.”
Over 314,000 cadets participate in JROTC annually, according to the Army, and the program is designed to instill students with leadership skills, self-discipline and civic responsibility, while fostering personal growth and community engagement.
According to the Hermiston School District, the success of the first drill meet is an important milestone for the Hermiston High School JROTC program and reflects its commitment to developing character, citizenship, and leadership, while strengthening partnerships around the region.
JROTC is an elective course available to all students at Hermiston High School, and cadets have the opportunity to participate in drill instruction, physical fitness training, marksmanship, regional competitions, and community service.
