JROTC

JROTC, ROTC and More!

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This page is the culmination of hours of research to bring information on all of the cadet programs available American youth. If youknow of yet another program, please let me know and I will add their information. JROTC Programs (in joint service order) JROTC stand for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and is a high school program sponsored by each …

The Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard

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The Connecticut National Guard’s longest serving cavalry unit still serves today. Two hundred years of service of escorting the Governor and many other duties, including being called up to serve during wartime in Europe. With severe budget cuts in the military, all units keep doing “more with less” and that includes the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard (2GHG). While they stand …

Beating a Performance Plateau with New and Improved!

DrillMasterDrill Team Training, Drill Teams, Instructional 1 Comment

Do you know why products are constantly puting new labels on them with words like: “NEW!” or “NEW and IMPROVED!” Comfort. We become comfortable with the things we have or use and we may be happy with using XYZ dish washing liquid for the rest of our lives, but the advertisers want to make sure you can’t live without it! …

Astronaut War Eagle Drill Meet Performance Critiques

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Astronaut High School’s Army JROTC hosted the 2015 War Eagle Drill Meet at their school in Titusville, FL on the 21st of February. I judged Unarmed Squad, used a new score sheet as a trial and recorded my usual commentary as the performances progressed. These recordings are standard in pageantry arts with music and visual judges giving feedback. My recordings …

“Root Step” and Command Pronunciation

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When we give commands to a formation, the words and your voice need to have several different attributes (click here for complete information on the command voice). One of the attributes that is never addressed is how to pronounce certain words. The two words that are constantly butchered by cadets and members of the military are Route and Oblique. The …

January: Drill Season is Here!

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While some JROTC units have a busy first semester that includes drill meets, for many across America January is when the competitions begin. Some states, like Florida, do not have any drill meets until the end of January, leaving the first semester to Raider meets. Maybe, like the school where I teach, Merritt Island High School, you have been having …

Having a Complete Plan for a Performance

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This information applies to any performance: presentation/posting of the colors, solo exhibition or drill team routine. The key is acting with nothing but professionalism the whole time. Before: Arrive at least an hour early. No two performances are the same and the more time you have to set up and rehearse, the better. Speak with your point of contact as soon …

Do Standards even Matter?

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The picture at right was sent to me by a Facebook friend who is an Army JROTC instructor in Texas. He sent it with the note that, at this particular drill meet, the SOP stated that only authorized service uniforms were to be worn. He told me the reason for the strict uniform requirements: One year I saw a color guard …

The 50-Gun Salute

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Each July 4th, Independence Day, The US Army Honor Guardat Whipple Field, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, the Presidential Salute Battery of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) fired a traditional 50-gun Salute to the Nation. This is the 50-Gun Salute. One for each state of the Union. This is one of only two ways to fire a gun …

How to Hold the Rifle While at Either Shoulder

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This is directly from TC 3-21.5 (count 2 of Right Shoulder). On count two, move the right hand from the barrel and grasp the heel of the butt between the first two fingers with the thumb and forefinger touching at the first joint. If you are Army (JROTC, ROTC,Army Cadets, Reserve, National Guard or Active Duty), then you must follow …