JROTC Summer Camp

by CSM Mike Collis

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During the summer 37 of our best cadets attended the JROTC Summer Camp that was conducted at Camp Blanding, Fl.  Camp Blanding is an awesome training facility located in the center of the state just south of Georgia.  The premise behind Summer Camp is to prepare this year’s company commanders and first sergeants for the leadership positions they will be assuming when the school year begins.   We also took this years Regimental Commanders with us. It was a physically and mentally challengeing week long course designed to hone leadership skills and increase confidence.

“For some of our cadets this was the highlight of their summer,” said Maj Steve Smith, our Senior Army Instructor. “For some it was a life changing experience.”

During this one week course the cadets were forced to challenge themselves, to expand their expectations and to test their mettle as well as their muscle.  Summer Camp has changed throughout the years.  It was once a drill and ceremony course, now the primary emphasizes is on academics, fitness and leadership. 

Here is what the cadets did:  Math & Science, Leadership Reaction Course, Obstacle Course, Swimming, Rappelling, Squad Challenge, Survival and Land Navigation.  And if that wasn’t enough, they held various leadership positions, played sports and marched around.

Our cadets were separated from each other as soon as the bus entered the main gates.  “After a few hours in camp, it’s no longer a school loyalty thing. It doesn’t matter where you’re from,” said Cadet James Pearson.  “We realized that we were all in it together.”  Summer Camp breaks cadets down and then builds them back up, even cadets who think their hot stuff. 

“It is a reality check,” Cadet Samantha Flenniken commented. “JROTC doesn’t only teach you to lead, it teaches you to follow as well.  You can’t lead till you’ve learned to follow.  You gotta deal with it.” The cadet corps relies heavily on the enthusiasm of the cadets who attend summer camp to motive each other. 

The cadets objectives while at this year’s camp were to build up their leadership skills and to boost their self-esteem, and most importantly to have fun.  Listening to them on the trip back, I have to say that they were successful.  Enjoy the pictures and watch them shine.  Hoo-ha!

Here is the list of lucky cadets that attended this years summer camp: