03/27/2024
Spread the love

[slideshow_deploy id=’58449′]

Eight West Bladen High School JROTC cadets joined over 700 young leaders from the southeast who participated in the rigorous Jr. ROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) at Fort Jackson from June 11-17.  JCLC is an annual event at which selected high school cadets participate and compete in a variety of hands-on training such as Team Development, High Ropes, Rappelling, Obstacle Courses, Water Safety, Virtual Rifle Safety and Marksmanship, and Land Navigation.  West Bladen cadets completing this year’s challenge were:  Kieara Porter, Kalil Richardson, Andrew Davis, Taniyah Robinson, Hunter Cimbolo, Turea Lucy, Justin Monroe and Cynthea Landreth.

The temperatures at Fort Jackson hovered around the upper 90s, as the cadets experienced a week of dynamic events conducted at facilities normally used for U.S. Army Basic Combat Training.  Some of the favorite activities were the meals consumed in the fort’s dining facilities, wearing Army Combat Uniforms, Rappelling, and the fun, practical training at the swimming pool.

While Colonel Eli Ballard was assigned as a Safety Officer for Training Development and Water Safety training, his partner, First Sergeant John Gillespie performed duties as a Training and Counseling Officer (TAC), and worked full-time with the West Bladen cadets and their peers.  Both West Bladen instructors commented on how rewarding it is to see their cadets demonstrate their skills and strong values while working with their other top young leaders from over 100 schools. 

All eight West Bladen Cadets performed with excellence and identified themselves as strong candidates for leadership positions in the JROTC battalion during the 2016-2017 school year.

About Author