Photo By Staff Sgt. Ashley Cohen | Staff Sgt. Christoper A. Elledge, communications security custodian, Headquarters and...... read more read more
HARLEM, Ga. — About 15 Fort Gordon Soldiers offered their experience and expertise for the betterment of their community by judging a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps drill meet at Harlem High School, Jan. 28.
Groups, squads and platoons of uniformed high schoolers representing five schools in Richmond and Columbia counties meticulously marched with stern concentration under the watchful eyes of Soldier judges.
“Stuff like this doesn’t really happen around here,” said Tyler B. Wood, a junior cadet with Harlem High School’s Bulldog Battalion about the meet and having Soldiers as judges. “It’s a great thing. It shows us that people actually do care about the program and for the competitions.”
During the meet the Soldiers judged several categories including color guard, squad drill, platoon drill and exhibition. The junior cadets were also given the option to perform their drills armed or unarmed in all-male, all-female, or male-female mixed teams.
“When I was given the opportunity I thought it would be a great way to witness what our youth are being taught today in JROTC, which may someday lead them into a career in the military,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher A. Elledge, communications security custodian, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 63rd Signal Battalion (Expeditionary), 35th Signal Brigade (Theater Tactical).
The drill meet gave the junior cadets a chance to talk with service members whose shoes many of them seek to fill someday, including Wood, a Sophmore, who said he wants to do special operations for the Air Force.
“Drill and ceremony is important to learn because it teaches discipline, attention to detail and confidence to lead,” said Elledge.
Soldiers who judged belong to either the 35th TTSB or 513th Military Intelligence Brigade.
“I hope to influence some discipline among our generation of upcoming youth,” said Elledge about being a head judge for the competition. “Maybe they’ll see us and get a chance to say, ‘that is something I aspire to be like.'”
Some of the schools performed their own choreographed exhibitions that incorporated weapon tossing and twirling with their marches and movements.
“I thought that they all did exceptionally well,” said Elledge. “Their skills showed great leadership and confidence which is key to success in today’s military.”
During breaks, the Soldiers shared stories of their military experiences with the high school students along with knowledge of military regulations and advice to help them in the future.
“I hope that we all get to walk away with a sense of pride after helping mold our future generation of Soldiers and service members,” said Elledge.
| Date Taken: | 01.28.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.30.2015 16:28 |
| Story ID: | 153193 |
| Location: | HARLEM, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 248 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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