KHS, MHS, RHS take top spots in JROTC challenge

The CNMI Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps consisting of Kagman, Saipan Southern, Marianas, Tinian, and Rota high schools recently gathered on Rota for the JROTC cadet leadership challenge as part of their annual requirement.

The activity, funded by the U.S. Army Cadet Command, occurred during the spring break beginning from March 25 to April 4, 2005.

Culminating the JCLC activities were the competition events to determine the best and top performing school in four areas: best leadership performance by cadets in the top leadership position; best academic challenge, best drill, and best cadet challenge for physical fitness and endurance.

The following gave the best performances in the following categories:

* Best Leadership Performance: MHS led by cadet Maj. Rick Galang;
* Best Academic Challenge: KHS Team;
* Best Cadet Challenge (Physical Fitness): KHS Team;
* Best Drill: RHS Team.

The Best Leadership Performance was awarded based on the school cadets’ leadership ability to lead, organize, and manage the entire JCLC cadet participants for the day or days they are responsible for the operation and training.

The Best Academic Challenge was awarded to the top school scoring the highest points in questions-and-answers session regarding the JROTC curriculum and general knowledge. Questions and answers were done using the classroom performance system.

Best Drill was awarded to the top drill team in precision movements executing marching and stationary facing movements.

This annual training requirement was evaluated by SFC Chris Baroldy, a representative of the U.S. Army Cadet Command based at Fort Lewis, Washington. The evaluation results provided by Baroldy was “outstanding” and all requirements/tasks were completed with flying colors.

The CNMI cadets spent a total of 11 days on this annual requirement, which included a total of six travel days: three going to Rota and three returning back to Saipan and Tinian.

The actual base camp, under a field environment living condition, was established and operated at the Rota High School campus, with all cadets from the five schools living in two- to five-person tents. All meals for the entire duration of the JCLC were provided by the U.S. Army. The meals were combinations of the new military rations called the “heater meals” and MREs.

To allow assessment and evaluation for the best leadership performance by cadets in leadership positions, a daily change in the cadet chain of command ranging from squad leader to battalion commander was initiated and enforced. Ceremonies were held at the end of the training days to allow for the change of command activity.

Battalion commanders from the five schools each had a chance to command all cadet JCLC participants by rotating the leadership positions each day.

The battalion commanders for each school at the JCLC were cadet Lt. Col. Queenie Ayuyu, Buck Battalion; cadet Maj. Leonard Aviena, Stallion Battalion; cadet Lt. Col. Shirley Collier, Manta Ray Battalion; cadet Lt. Col. Justin Santos, Ayuyu Battalion, and cadet Maj. Galang, Dolphin Battalion.

Training accomplished by all cadets during this activity included physical training, land navigation, leadership reaction course, drills and ceremonies (with and without arms), rappelling cadet challenge (physical activities), nature walk (road march); knot tying, rope bridge, survival, and preparation of Swiss seats for the rappel training.

The JCLC commander, who was appointed by the 13th Brigade commander at Fort Lewis, Washington, was Sgt. Maj. Herman Atalig from the Rota Buck. Sgt. Maj. Jack Kiyoshi of the Manta Ray Battalion assumed the duties of the Deputy JCLC commander, as designated and appointed by the JCLC commander.

Army instructors responsible for various training implemented/conducted at the JCLC were SFC Richard Haugh, SSHS, for survival training; SFC Gloria, MHS, conducted the leadership reaction course; MSG James Burke from KHS did the land navigation; while SFC Juan King did the drills and ceremonies; Celestin Damian, CNMI MSU HQ, ran the cadet challenge event; MSG Juan Salas from Tinian did the nature walk; while SGM Herman Atalig did the rappel station.

Assisting in all training activities were SGM Jack Kiyoshi from SSHS, MSG Herman Apatang from RHS, and SFC David Rodriquez from Tinian.

All training and classes were facilitated by the assigned instructors and done in a very professional and highly proficient performance by cadet instructors.

CSM Doroteo Q. Aguigui, who is the CNMI MSU JROTC Acting DAI, expressed thanks to Rota High School principal Matt Ooka for his support in allowing the cadets to set up their bivouac on the Rota Buck campus.

The area was reportedly “very accommodating,” with complete availability of electricity, water, and toilet facilities.

“Thanks also to SGM Herman Atalig, Senior Army Instructor of the Rota Buck Battalion, and his staff for all their hard work and the time spent in coordinating logistics, supplies, transportation, training areas, and medical support,” Aguigui said.