The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) underwent a Command Inspection under the auspices of the Marine Corps Inspector General inspection program. Cadets were evaluated on their personal appearance, knowledge of general military subjects and execution of military drill. The majority of the drill units had to be cadets who were not members of the MCJROTC competitive drill team. Additionally, the MCHS program was inspected for their administrative and logistic accuracy.
“Based on my conversation with our Regional Director, Colonel Leonard, we are certainly on par with the best schools in our Region” said Senior Marine Instructor Major Tom McGrath. There are 50 schools in Michigan City’s region that stretches from West Virginia to South Dakota and Minnesota to Kansas.
“Our cadets really worked hard in preparation for this inspection,” said Marine Instructor Master Sergeant Jeff Benak. “We conduct weekly personnel inspections as part of our program, trying to make it as close as possible to the Command Inspection. I thinks our diligence and attention to detail paid off.”
The inspection started with a command brief done by the cadet commanding officer, Cadet Captain Jalen Stockley. Stockley is a four year cadet. “Although our enrollment is a little low, I think most of our cadets are very conscientious and want to represent our school well.”
MCHS will be putting their drill expertise to a major test when they travel to Indianapolis to compete in the Pike High School military drill meet on February 20th. There will be 17 schools competing, some of whom compete in the Navy national drill championships in Daytona, Florida. “We will have to really be on our game to compete with these schools, but I am confident that our cadets are up to the challenge," said McGrath.