Infinite MPG

My sophomore year of high school is almost coming to a close. How do I know? I’m making a slideshow/video of pictures that I took over the year as my JROTC’s Public Affairs NCO. And I am getting fricken nostalgic.

Please note I’m typing this as I’m doing the slideshow :P

First is AS-100 Camp, the (hopefully annual) summer camp that we run to introduce new freshmen/basics to the program and give them a head start. The year before, I was a cadet in the program and I got to experience all the cool things they taught us. This year I got to be on the other side of the curtain, I was able to train the new ones. It was completely different, now that I knew everything I was doing. Plus there were so many more cadets. I got a good look at a few prime prospects for Drill Team, and one of them became the “Super-Basic” of the year.

A couple color guard events. I honestly cannot believe that it got me a girlfriend. I never thought I would become a part of color guard, and that I’d become (unofficially as of now) the next Color Guard commander. It’s become a huge part of my life.

CYBERPATRIOT! The Cyberchiefs were probably the best team (other than Drill Team) in the Corps. Well, those two are the only two teams… but that’s besides the point. I’m just mad we got ripped off by CyberPatriot. We were in the top 30 teams in the country, but teams underneath our scores got to go to Round 3 while we didn’t, simply because we were AFJROTC and they weren’t. I really hope they change that for next year because with the group we had, Round 3 and even Round 4 is well within reach.

Jackson Drill Comp. The first major competition of the year. Quite easily the most nerve racking for me: it was my first time doing Color Guard, first time participating in Armed Dual, and first time ever commanding a team (Armed Regulation). Great competition though. I know I wasn’t the most nervous on that bus. NC, ND, and DU were in DT Command Staff for the first time. And then the basics, their first competition ever. Being nervous for Regulation and Inspection. It made me think of my first competition, and the great moments that came with it. The horrors of Unarmed Inspection, SP standing up to the great MSgt. Brown. DM (the “Super Basic”) leading his team of basics to a trophy. DU and TA getting third place in Unarmed Exhibition.

8th Grade Experience. Lost my voice for a whole fricken day because of that. Also spent a crap load of time making a video no one watched…

The Intrepid trip. First time I went there in about 3 years or so. Never ceases to amaze me :)

Passaic Drill Competition. The worst drill comp of the year. But the best in results. 1st Place Armed Dual (Me and ND), 2nd Place New Cadet CG, 3rd Place Inspection. Though planning sucked and the conditions were crappy at the school. Might go back next year for morale, but we can’t risk people getting sick.

Bridgeton Drill Competiton. The big one. 23 schools if I am correct. Somehow, we managed to place 5th in Armed Regulation, 4th in Armed Inspection, 3rd in Unarmed Dual, and 2nd in Armed Dual. An impressive showing if you ask me. The nerves died down, and all the cadets knew what they were up against. And they performed. And made us proud.

Yeahh, that’s about it. Dining Out is tomorrow, basically the conclusion of the ROTC year. Then the Memorial Day Parade, then Graduation, and its done. Except for Summer Leadership School, which has GOT TO BE FUN.