The Dillon High School Army JROTC participated in the JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) June 9-16. This event is mandatory for all Army JROTC units and the highlight of the year for the cadets, says John Sapp, MAJ (RET), US Army, senior Army instructor, JROTC for Dillon High School.
Fourteen cadets were selected to attend the camp based on a cadet’s displayed leadership abilities, physical fitness and scheduled return to the program. Prior to camp cadets were trained in range safety, Hot weather Hazards and First Aid by the leadership team of DHSJROTC: MAJ (RET) John D. Sapp Jr., the new Senior Army Instructor, and SFC (RET) Randy Gray, Army Instructor.
Approximately 630 JROTC cadets from 30 schools attended JCLC Carolina held at Fort Jackson, SC. The cadets’ endurance, leadership abilities, stamina were challenged throughout the week-long camp. A typical day consisted of a 5:30 a.m. wake-up, breakfast and a full day of intense activities, such as rappelling, confidence course, rope bridge, marksmanship, leadership reaction course, first aid, survival training, leadership academic bowl, drill and ceremony, as well as organized sports competition. A chaplain was present the first day to provide encouragement, mental and emotional support to get the cadets ready for the challenging week.
Cadets from the schools are separated and dispersed among three companies with three platoons containing four squads. This is done to get them out of their comfort zone and to learn to work with other cadets from different areas. By the second day, they have made new friends and expanded their tolerance and acceptance of others. Instructors from the schools in attendance are the cadre for each company. These cadre assign cadets positions of leadership such as company commander, first sergeant, platoon leader, platoon sergeant and squad leaders. These positions are rotated so as to provide several cadets with leadership positions during the camp cycle.
Dillon’s cadets made an excellent showing at JCLC, says Sapp. Cadet Jakwazia McCormick received a medal for winning “honor cadet” in her company. Cadet Xzaiver Williams also received a medal as the top cadet in his company. Seven cadets received medals during the Organizational Day activities while several received a command sergeant major coin for their displayed leadership abilities and performance during JCLC. Cadet DaQuan Mills was recognized as the “Best Buddy” by the camp leadership for his ability to put the heat injury training he received into practice while assisting fellow cadets as the succumbed to the intense heat at Fort Jackson.
SFC (RET) Randy Gray, Army Instructor, says all cadets that attended JCLC will be given a ribbon to wear on their uniform and the opportunity to use the skills learned during the upcoming school year. “Congratulations to all 13 cadets for successfully completing JCLC Carolina 2014.”
