FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
For most teens, summer means seasonal jobs, family vacations and ten school-free weeks. For about 280 Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets this summer included an all-inclusive four-day stay at Fort Eustis for the 2010 Cadet Leadership Challenge Mountain exercise.
Beginning Sunday high school students from 27 high schools throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware spent four days testing their physical and mental mettle through a variety of exercises including an academic challenge; a rope bridge challenge; combat first aid and three-point land navigation. Other activities included a cruise on the James River on Landing Craft, Medium and the 17-obstacle challenge course at Eustis' Training Area 8.
Immersed in a total-military environment, the hands-on experience helps teens to hone their leadership and military skills, and challenges cadets' athleticism, teamwork and problem-solving abilities. The exercises and challenges presented not only forced the cadets to work as a cohesive unit, but also presented opportunities for cadets to overcome personal obstacles, such as fear of heights, insects or water.
During the rope bridge challenge, cadets moved their bodies hand-over-hand across a rope suspended between two trees. For many, the practice was easy but some struggled.
"The only limit is the one that you set on yourself," Sgt. 1st Class Ronnie McNeill, a drill sergeant with 1st Battalion, 323rd Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army Reserves, from Lumberton, N.C., said to JROTC cadet Anna Macalaguim of Prince George High School.
With advice from McNeill and encouragement from her teammates, Macalaguim overcame her fear of falling and traversed the rope not once, not twice, but four times.
Safety concerns due to rain and lightning Monday shut down that afternoon's activities, but the junior leaders were up and rearing to go Tuesday morning with a cadence in their hearts and a spring in their step for the drill competition at the Murphy Field Sports Complex.
"These cadets are surrounded with so many caring, guiding Senior Army Instructors, Army Instructors, chaperones and Soldiers that there's no chance for them to fail. We won't let them fail," said Maj. Marvin Jester, SAI at Sussex Tech High School in Georgetown, Del.
This was the first time cadets from Sussex Tech attended JCLC Challenge Mountain and Jester hopes it will be the first of many.
"Having never been to it before, I really didn't know what to expect so I only brought five of my strongest cadets, but it's turned out to be a pleasant experience," Jester said.
After an afternoon of organized sports and a picnic at the 8th Transportation Brigade gazebo, cadets took a few minutes to talk about their week, comparing their experiences and lessons learned.
"It's my first year here and it was a good experience for me," said David Hill, a cadet at Colonial Forge High School in Stafford.
Third-year participant Cyril Anyetei-Anum, a cadet at Thomas Dale High School in Chester, not only discovered ways to lead others, but learned something about himself as well.
"My first year here, I was quiet. What I got from being here, I found out that I was more confident and I started leading others," Anyetei-Anum said. "I like it here because not only do I get to socialize with people from different schools, I've also learned more self-discipline and how to keep my bearing, not get distracted. I'm definitely coming back next year," he added.
Participating high schools in this year's exercise include:
T.C. Williams High School, Alexandria;
Charles City High School, Charles City County;
Thomas Dale High School, Chester;
Meadowbrook High School, Chesterfield County;
Bethel High School, Hampton;
Northumberland High School, Heathsville;
King and Queen High School, King and Queen Courthouse;
Caroline High School, Milford;
Denbigh High School, Newport News;
Petersburg High School, Petersburg;
Woodrow Wilson High School, Portsmouth;
Prince George High School, Prince George;
Armstrong High School, Benedictine High School, Franklin Military School, Huguenot High School, John Marshall High School and George Wythe High School, all in Richmond;
Smithfield High School, Smithfield;
Colonial Forge High School, Stafford;
Surry County High School, Surry;
Sussex High School, Sussex;
Sussex Tech High School, Georgetown, Del.;
Cape Henlope High School, Lewes, Del.;
Mount Pleasant High School, Wilmington, Del.;
Crisfield High School, Crisfield, Md.;
Wicomico High School, Salisbury, Md.