Johnson cadets master summertime leadership challenge
"First call, Cadets, it is five o'clock, time to roll out of your bunks," yells the Tactical Noncommissioned Officer (TAC) as he enters a cadet billet. But to his surprise, the 'TAC NCO,' finds his Cadets awake, dressed and developing and learning their Company motto that becomes their distinctive rallying cry for the week.
What young high school students seek the opportunity to sleep at Camp Bullis, Texas in a small hut with 11 other students they just met the day before, and wake up at 5 a.m. on their first Monday of summer vacation? Just ask any of the 267 Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) Cadets that participated in the North East ISD JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) this question.
Sixteen first year Cadets from the Johnson High School JROTC Battalion earned the privilege to attend NEISD's JCLC, June 6 - 12. Also known as "Summer Camp," the Cadets were selected to attend based on their academics, leadership, physical fitness, and potential to serve in a position to lead Cadets. The Johnson Cadets that attended JCLC were Cadets Andrew Berry, Marissa Perales, Selena Martinez, Mirella Torres, Devin Graves, Isaac Agueda, Duncan Pawloski, Jessica Guzman, Jerad Marrs, Vincent Padilla, Erika Andrade, Jason Vasquez, John Garcia, Dustin Murphey, Skyler Hunter, and Ellen Pennington.
The purpose of JROTC summer camp is to give Cadets practical experience in JROTC subjects taught throughout the academic year. Cadets received training in hot weather safety, leadership, land navigation, rope knots, flag protocol, physical training, rappelling, drill, swimming, drown proofing, and multiple team and confidence building exercises. Cadets were supervised and trained by retired United States Army JROTC instructors from 22 high schools from across Texas to include the San Antonio area and as far away as the Rio Grande Valley and Houston areas. Additionally, select Cadets served in leadership position ranging from squad leader to Cadet battalion commander and assisted in facilitating the week’s training and activities. Johnson Cadets selected for leadership positions included Cadets Devin Graves, Platoon Leader and Marissa Perales, Jerad Marrs, Vincent Padilla, Jason Vasquez, Dustin Murphey, and Skyler Hunter, all served as Squad Leaders.
At the end of the week, the capstone activities included a Cadet cookout and social and five competitions that pitted the very best from each of the four Cadet companies. The competitive events include Platoon Drill, Orienteering, Rope Bridge, Softball, and Volleyball. Cadet Andrew Berry was a member of two winning teams—Orienteering and Drill. Other Cadets participating on winning teams were Cadet Skyler Hunter, Drill; Cadets Ellen Pennington and Mirella Torres, Rope Bridge; and Jason Vasquez, Softball.
Cadet Vincent Padilla eats a military "Meals Ready to Eat" (MRE) lunch.
Johnson Cadets attending JROTC Summer Camp along with their two JROTC Instructors pictured on each end.
Posted on July 8, 2010