The Hixson High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps drill and color guard teams have done the unthinkable - they’ve captured their fourth and fifth respective Hamilton County JROTC Drill Championship Titles in Drill and Color Guard.
The County JROTC Drill Competitions are hosted annually by the Hamilton County director of JROTC’s office, are open to all 10 JROTC units within the county and are held at various high schools throughout the drill season.
JROTC drill and color guard teaches leadership, followership, discipline, precision and teamwork.
The competitions are based on execution of individual and unit performances in a military-style formation and are scored on a multitude of factors. Each event is scored and trophies are awarded for individual events and overall.
Hixson captured First Place Individual Exhibition, First Place Dual Exhibition, First Place Squad Exhibition, First Place Squad IDR, Second Place Platoon IDR and First Place Color Guard, all culminating in the award of First Place Overall Champions for 2019.
The Hixson High AFJROTC drill program is a fundamental part of the AFJROTC Cadet Corps.
Major (Retired) James Carbone, the Hixson AFJROTC Senior Aerospace Science Instructor lauded the program saying, “AFJROTC is a cadet-led program and I couldn’t be happier for Cadet First Lieutenant Jeremey Thomas and Cadet First Lieutenant Christian Lewis for leading their Drill and Color Guard teams to victory.”
Master Sergeant (Retired) Doug Burhans, the Hixson AFJROTC Aerospace Science instructor and Drill Team coach said, “We are so proud of our Cadets. This fourth championship in a row is directly contributed to their dedication to each other and the program. It’s amazing to watch our cadets in action. They are truly citizens of character.”
The Mission of Air Force JROTC is “to cevelop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community.”
R. Wayne Barron, Air Force JROTC director of Region 7, talks with the Hixson High cadets