MCHS MCJROTC Hosts, Earns Awards at Military Skills Competition

The Michigan City High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) hosted a military skills competition on Saturday, November 17th, at Elston Middle School. 10 schools from northwest Indiana and Chicago land competed in marksmanship, physical fitness, academics, personnel inspection and military drill. Michigan City earned trophies in seven events, to include finishing first in the marksmanship competition. The meet was sponsored by the Michiana Marines, the local chapter of the Marine Corps League.

This was a great experience, as it allowed us to see other schools and compare where we are at with them,” said sophomore Cadet Staff Sergeant Alex Wyman, who commanded two of the units that placed to earn awards. “It makes you want to work harder to earn more trophies at future drill competitions.”

Cadet Gunnery Sergeant Cody Joseph, who also commanded two units earning awards, had similar feelings. “It is tough getting to school so early for practice, but when you see the positive results, it makes it all worth it.” The drill team practices every morning starting at 5:45.

Major Tom McGrath, the Senior Marine Instructor, was pleased with the effort of all cadets involved in the competition, to include non-drill team cadets who supported the function “It takes much effort to host a competition like this. Only a minority of schools takes this on, and we are one of the few who includes academics, physical fitness and marksmanship in addition to drill and the personnel inspection in the competition. This has been a busy month, with our Marine Corps Ball, four ceremonies honoring veterans, and this major project. Our cadets have demonstrated great flexibility and the ability to handle multiple tasks,” he said.

Master Sergeant Jeff Benak, the Marine Instructor, also noted the MCHS effort but emphasized how much more the cadets needed to improve. “This was our first competition of the year. It was a good barometer of where we stand with other schools. It is good that we placed in so many events, but we need to continue to get better if we want to be competitive in future meets.

MCHS MCJROTC’s next competition will be December 8th at Purdue University in West Lafayette.

Photos:

  • The unarmed platoon reports in prior to starting competition.
  • The armed squad executes a movement during their competition.
  • Cadets undergo the personnel inspection.
  • The armed exhibition platoon starts their routine.
  • MCHS MCJROTC Drill Team with the trophies earned during the military skills competition.