The Michigan City High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) conducted a Cadet Leadership Camp (CLC) at the Birch Boy Scout Camp at Yellow Springs, OH from June 10-15. 21 cadets (15 male, 6 female) engaged in activities ranging from shooting to orienteering to negotiating high rope obstacles. All cadets participated in all events, despite some bumps and bruises. Funding for the camp was provided by the U.S. Marine Corps, the Michigan City Chapter of the Marine Corps League, and the JROTC Booster Club. There was no cost for Michigan City High School or the cadets.
Major Tom McGrath, the Senior Marine Instructor, noted the endurance that the cadets demonstrated. “The training day went from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. We made it challenging, both mentally and physically. This is what it takes to earn the Marine Corps Reserve Association award as the top school in our region of 38 schools. We are not there yet, but these cadets have shown we are knocking on the door,” he said.
The capstone exercise was a competition between the three squads that involved 6 different events based on the skills obtained during the week. “The cadets really put out for this competition,” said Marine Instructor Master Sergeant Jeff Benak. “By the time they were done, they were really spent, both in mind and in body. Anybody who says Michigan City kids are quitters need to take a look at our cadets,” he said.
“I think the best thing about this week is that it forced us to work as a team,” said Cadet Captain and Commanding Officer Paul Tobalt. “In this program, there is no such thing as a superstar carrying the rest of the unit. It takes everybody working toward a common goal to achieve success,” he said.
The cadets will be conducting physical training and military drill during the summer in preparation for next year. They will also be participating in the Michigan City Independence Day Ceremony, Summer Festival Parade, and the Drum and Bugle Corps Competition. They will again march in the LaPorte County 4th of July parade. The unit is hoping that all of these activities will earn them a consecutive Naval Honor School designation, putting them in the top 20% of all schools in the nation. The program earned that designation for the first time last year since the reorganization of the JROTC.