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JROTC Cadets compete at Raider Challenge 2021

By Michael MaddoxMarch 2, 2021

A cadet from Sarasota High School competes in The Gauntlet during the All-Service JROTC Raider Nationals Feb. 26 at the Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia. The All-Service competition allowed cadets from across the country to compete against teams from other services in various physical challenges. (Photo by Michael Maddox, Cadet Command Public Affairs)
1 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A cadet from Sarasota High School competes in The Gauntlet during the All-Service JROTC Raider Nationals Feb. 26 at the Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia. The All-Service competition allowed cadets from across the country to compete against teams from other services in various physical challenges. (Photo by Michael Maddox, Cadet Command Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: Michael Maddox) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cadets had their temperatures checked at each event to maintain safety during the Army JROTC Raider Nationals Feb. 27 at the Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia. The competition allowed cadets from across the country to compete against teams in various physical challenges. (Photo by Michael Maddox, Cadet Command Public Affairs)
2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cadets had their temperatures checked at each event to maintain safety during the Army JROTC Raider Nationals Feb. 27 at the Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia. The competition allowed cadets from across the country to compete against teams in various physical challenges. (Photo by Michael Maddox, Cadet Command Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: Michael Maddox) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cadets from Riverdale High School compete in the Cross Country Rescue during the Army JROTC Raider Nationals Feb. 27 at the Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia. The competition allowed cadets from across the country to compete against teams in various physical challenges. (Photo by Michael Maddox, Cadet Command Public Affairs)
3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cadets from Riverdale High School compete in the Cross Country Rescue during the Army JROTC Raider Nationals Feb. 27 at the Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia. The competition allowed cadets from across the country to compete against teams in various physical challenges. (Photo by Michael Maddox, Cadet Command Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: Michael Maddox) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cadets from Leavenworth High School compete in The Gauntlet during the Army JROTC Raider Nationals Feb. 27 at the Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia. The competition allowed cadets from across the country to compete against teams in various physical challenges. (Photo by Michael Maddox, Cadet Command Public Affairs)
4 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cadets from Leavenworth High School compete in The Gauntlet during the Army JROTC Raider Nationals Feb. 27 at the Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia. The competition allowed cadets from across the country to compete against teams in various physical challenges. (Photo by Michael Maddox, Cadet Command Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: Michael Maddox) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cadets from Ozark High School compete in the Physical Team Test during the Army JROTC Raider Nationals Feb. 27 at the Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia. The competition allowed cadets from across the country to compete against teams in various physical challenges. (Photo by Michael Maddox, Cadet Command Public Affairs)
5 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cadets from Ozark High School compete in the Physical Team Test during the Army JROTC Raider Nationals Feb. 27 at the Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia. The competition allowed cadets from across the country to compete against teams in various physical challenges. (Photo by Michael Maddox, Cadet Command Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: Michael Maddox) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cadets from Camdenton High School compete in the one-rope bridge event during the All-Service JROTC Raider Nationals Feb. 26 at the Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia. The All-Service competition allowed cadets from across the country to compete against teams from other services in various physical challenges. (Photo by Michael Maddox, Cadet Command Public Affairs)
6 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cadets from Camdenton High School compete in the one-rope bridge event during the All-Service JROTC Raider Nationals Feb. 26 at the Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia. The All-Service competition allowed cadets from across the country to compete against teams from other services in various physical challenges. (Photo by Michael Maddox, Cadet Command Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: Michael Maddox) VIEW ORIGINAL
A cadet from White County High School competes in the Physical Team Test during the Army JROTC Raider Nationals Feb. 27 at the Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia. The competition allowed cadets from across the country to compete against teams in various physical challenges. (Photo by Michael Maddox, Cadet Command Public Affairs)
7 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A cadet from White County High School competes in the Physical Team Test during the Army JROTC Raider Nationals Feb. 27 at the Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia. The competition allowed cadets from across the country to compete against teams in various physical challenges. (Photo by Michael Maddox, Cadet Command Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: Michael Maddox) VIEW ORIGINAL
A cadet from Scott Regional Technology Center prepares to take on The Gauntlet during the All-Service JROTC Raider Nationals Feb. 26 at the Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia. The All-Service competition allowed cadets from across the country to compete against teams from other services in various physical challenges. (Photo by Michael Maddox, Cadet Command Public Affairs)
8 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A cadet from Scott Regional Technology Center prepares to take on The Gauntlet during the All-Service JROTC Raider Nationals Feb. 26 at the Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia. The All-Service competition allowed cadets from across the country to compete against teams from other services in various physical challenges. (Photo by Michael Maddox, Cadet Command Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: Michael Maddox) VIEW ORIGINAL
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MOLENA, Georgia (Feb. 27, 2021) – JROTC Cadets from across the nation turned out to compete in a grueling two-days of chilly temperatures, maneuvering through muddy obstacles, and sometimes becoming completely drenched during the JROTC Raider Challenge in Molena over the weekend.

The event, which took place Feb. 26-27, pitted Cadet teams against one another in five different team challenges, and individual competition as the Ultimate Raider.

This year’s event was a little different than past years, according to Mike Jones, co-curricular manager for Cadet Command’s JROTC program.

“We’ve made a few changes for safety reason around the COVID virus. We mandated masking when the cadets aren’t competing, and there can’t be more than one school in any of the campgrounds here. We also limited the spectators at a lot of the events,” he explained. “As far as competition, one of the biggest changes was mandating that they wear helmets while crossing the rope bridge, and we put in a safety line because of the current at that event.”

This year also saw a reduction in the number of teams due to COVID travel restrictions.

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“Normally we run about 90 teams through, but this year we were down to 35. That’s based off the school’s that could travel, could stay a night, but a lot of them are coming in, competing and going home,” Jones said. Also, in the past the Army National event took place over two days, but with the reduced number of teams this year we were able to condense it into a one-day event.”

Even with the changes, the event seemed to be a success, according to Jones.

“It’s went very well, and I think this may be the only event that a lot of these cadets will be able to compete in this year. Getting these kids out and being able to do something has been a huge boost, not only to the kids, but to the parents,” he said.

Before the winners were announced Saturday, Maj. Gen. John Evans, commander of U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox, took time to share how proud he was of what the cadets went through over the weekend and their ability to adapt as they faced the challenges presented.

“I am a huge, huge fan of JROTC and being here today reminds me of why that is. I will tell every single one of you out there is a winner individually and collectively for the efforts you put forward and what you have achieved. I can tell you that you are strong group of young people,” he shared with the crowd.

He went on to share how he hopes their JROTC experience will influence the cadet’s future endeavors.

“We talk a lot in Army ROTC about the value the JROTC program provides us. First and foremost it provides us citizens of character. So whether you decide to go on and serve in the military, go to an academy, serve as an officer or enlisted person, we value you,” Evans said. “If you choose not to do that, that’s okay too because what you do and what you will do for our nation as you get older is you will carry with you this experience of dedication, the bond of brotherhood and sisterhood.”

Winners by Category:
  • Overall Mixed Division: Ozark High School
  • Overall Male Division: Adairsville High School
  • Overall Female Division: Adairsville High School
  • Rope Bridge Mixed Division: Campbell County High School
  • Rope Bridge Male Division: Adairsville High School
  • Rope Bridge Female Division: Adairsville High School
  • Gauntlet Mixed Division: North Fort Myers High School
  • Gauntlet Male Division: Adairsville High School
  • Gauntlet Female Division: Adairsville High School
  • Cross Country Rescue Mixed: Sarasota Military Academy
  • Cross Country Rescue Male Division: Adairsville High School
  • Cross Country Rescue Female Division: Adairsville High School
  • 5K Mixed Division: Ozark High School
  • 5K Male Division: Leavenworth High School
  • 5K Female Division: Adairsville High School
  • Physical Team Test Mixed Division: North Fort Myers High School
  • Physical Team Test Male Division: Adairsville High School
  • Physical Team Test Female Division: Adairsville High School
All-Service Winners:
  • Overall Mixed Division: Graves County High School
  • Overall Male Division: Lake Cormorant High School (Marine JROTC)
  • Overall Female Division: Mariner High School
  • Rope Bridge Mixed Division: Graves County High School
  • Rope Bridge Male Division: Perry High School (Air Force JROTC)
  • Rope Bridge Female Division: Mariner High School
  • Gauntlet Mixed Division: North Fort Myers High School
  • Gauntlet Male Division: Graves County High School
  • Gauntlet Female Division: Mariner High School
  • 5K Mixed Division: GMC Prep High School
  • 5K Male Division: Mariner High School
  • 5K Female Division: Mariner High School
  • Physical Team Test Mixed Division: GMC Prep High School
  • Physical Team Test Male Division: Lake Cormorant High School (Marine JROTC)
  • Physical Team Test Female Division: James Madison High School
About Army ROTC

Army ROTC is one of the best leadership courses in the country and is part of your college curriculum. Through classes and field training, Army ROTC provides you with the tools to become an Army Officer without interfering with your other classes. ROTC also provides you with discipline and money for tuition while enhancing your college experience.

Army ROTC offers pathways to becoming an Army Officer for high school students, current active duty Soldiers, and for current National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers through the Simultaneous Membership Program.

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