Georgia Air Force JROTC cadets compete for top honors Published Nov. 8, 2011 By Master Sgt. Stan Coleman Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadet Capt. Brandon Kelley of North Gwinnett High stands with confidence as he reports, with a sharp salute, to Airman 1st Class Patrick McGuire, 94th Maintenance apprentice, during the Nov. 5 drill meet at East Paulding High School. Cadet Kelley's poise is erect. His 12-man drill team awaits his command to start their execution of precision steps and well-practiced rifle drills during the Southern Invitational Drill Team Championship. Cadet Kelley's team competed against 13 other schools for one of several first place trophies in the Armed and Unarmed Divisions. Nine volunteer judges from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, presided over the competitions--Armed Regulation, Armed Inspection, Armed Exhibition, Armed Color Guard; Unarmed Regulation, Unarmed Inspection, Unarmed Exhibition and Unarmed Color Guard. After all of the team competitions, an individual drill regulation competition is held where all of the JROTC cadets line form up and follow a Simon-says-style sequence of drill and ceremony commands where individuals are eliminated from the competition floor per each incorrect execution of a command or following a command that was incorrectly given in sequence. The competition continues until there is only one cadet left who has followed all of the individual drill regulation commands correctly. Each drill team competition JROTC cadet is focused on their individual execution of a routine, whether they are performing as a group or individually. "Our biggest challenge is getting everything to come together," said Kelley. "We practice at least seven hours a week to perfect the smallest details in our performance." The practice paid off with a well-earned applause from the audience of parents and competing cadets. "The benefits of our youth competing in these types of competitions are teamwork, responsibility and a developed sense of integrity," said Mrs Diane Kelley, mother of Brandon Kelley. "When his friends come over to visit I ask them questions regarding their JROTC involvement and their responsibilities as cadets and students. The best thing that JROTC provides for our youth is a sense of direction and purpose for what they want to do with their lives." The armed inspection and armed exhibition competition judges, Airman McGuire and A1C Diantre Williams, 94th Maintenance communications and navigations technicians, shared their impressions of the cadets. "It's great to have the opportunity to witness the work ethic and sense of professionalism these cadets put in to this competition," said Airman Williams. "This is my first experience in judging a JROTC competition," said Airman McGuire. "The smallest flaws will stand out during a competing group's performance. It isn't hard to see how well a drill team works together as a team." Georgia JROTC cadets shared their enthusiasm for participating in their units and their drill teams. "Gaining leadership experience is a big benefit of participating in the Air Force JROTC program," said Cadet Col. Jacob Cable, group commander, of Newnan High School, Newnan, Ga. "The most important part of leadership is communication. Your team must trust you to lead. A good leader always has a well developed plan and a backup plan." "I wanted to be a part of the drill team because our members are the best of the best," said Cadet 1st Lt. Audrieona Yates, Dutchtown High School, Hampton, Ga. "We've placed first in a number of competitions." East Paulding High School has hosted the Southern Invitational Drill Meet for five years. Dobbins Airmen have participated as judges. Each team is responsible for creating their own routines for their performances. East Paulding's drill teams performed at the drill meet but were not competitors for the awards. "From my experience, these teams perform as well as or better than college ROTC units or basic training recruits," said retired Master Sgt. Jim Green, East Paulding High School Aerospace Instructor. The competing drill teams are required to perform maneuvers that are military in nature--"demonstrating great dignity, military bearing and precision"--according to the special instructions of the Southern Invitational AFROTC Drill Team Championship. Dance routines, gymnastic movements, music and any other device not dignified in nature for military drill meet is strictly prohibited. Col. Richard L. Kemble, 94th Airlift Wing vice commander, presented the awards at the completion of the drill meet. More than 50 trophies (representing fifth place to first place standings) were presented to JROTC cadets.
