Fort Bliss Monitor

USASMA students judge
JROTC competition

Sgt. Maj. Kathleen Roth

Master Sgt. Wayne Durham and Sgt. Maj. Jose Mercado watch as an armed drill team perform at the JROTC mid-year competition held at Burges High School Saturday. Eight El Paso high schools competed in the competition.

Sgt. Maj. Kathleen Roth
Sergeants Major Course, Class 56

Students from the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy took part in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps mid-year drill competition, held Saturday at Burges High School.

Cadets from eight local high schools competed in two categories: armed and unarmed. USASMA students judged the competition. The first, second and third place winning teams in each category received trophies for their accomplishments.

The drill teams compete in two district competitions and several invitational meets, including the Ysleta School District and New Mexico Military Institute Competitions. The top two drill teams in the local district competitions compete at the Blue Bonnet Bowl in Houston. The teams selected to compete must have the highest accumulative points from the local competitions throughout the year.

USASMA supports the local JROTC Programs through the Academy’s Special Projects office. Students attending the Sergeant Majors Course have supported the judging of drill team competitions for more than six years. The judges for this weekend’s competition were Sgts. Maj. Everett Clark, Steven Johnson, Jose Mercado, Master Sgts. Wayne Durham and Robert Trawick. Master Sgt. Lyle Womack coordinated with retired Command Sgt. Maj. Charles N. Curless for this competition.

“When you think of the JROTC cadets, they are our future leaders. Being a previous JROTC instructor I love the kids,” said Durham, explaining why he chose to serve as a judge.

Mercado said he enjoys events like this competition because they help to spread good news about the Army and it allows him to help with the Army’s future leaders.

Curless commented on what the USASMA students bring to the competition saying, “It lets the kids be involved with active Soldiers; [they are] role models, and it is a good experience for the kids to see Soldiers conduct themselves in such a professional manner.”

“I enjoy assisting our youth in all their endeavors, especially when it develops discipline, builds teams and enhances their overall self-confidence,” Clark explained. The theme with all the Sergeants Major Course students who judged the drill meet was their ability to help the local community in developing its youth. This competition was especially important since some of these young high school students will continue in their studies of the military and will one day become military officers.

The goal of the JROTC is to motivate and develop young people. To accomplish this goal, JROTC combines classroom instruction and extracurricular activities oriented toward attaining an awareness of the rights, responsibilities and privileges of citizenship. The program also focuses on developing the cadets’ sense of personal responsibility, building life skills, and providing leadership opportunities.

Jefferson High School’s Drill teams won both the armed and unarmed drill competitions. Burges High School principal, Earnie Watts, presented each team captain with their first place trophies.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	February 9, 2006

	USASMA students judge JROTC competition Sgt. Maj. Kathleen Roth Master Sgt. Wayne Durham and Sgt. Maj. Jose Mercado watch as an armed drill team perform at the JROTC mid-year competition held at Burges High School Saturday. Eight El Paso high schools competed in the competition. Sgt. Maj. Kathleen Roth Sergeants Major Course, Class 56 Students from the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy took part in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps mid-year drill competition, held Saturday at Burges High School. Cadets from eight local high schools competed in two categories: armed and unarmed. USASMA students judged the competition. The first, second and third place winning teams in each category received trophies for their accomplishments. The drill teams compete in two district competitions and several invitational meets, including the Ysleta School District and New Mexico Military Institute Competitions. The top two drill teams in the local district competitions compete at the Blue Bonnet Bowl in Houston. The teams selected to compete must have the highest accumulative points from the local competitions throughout the year. USASMA supports the local JROTC Programs through the Academy’s Special Projects office. Students attending the Sergeant Majors Course have supported the judging of drill team competitions for more than six years. The judges for this weekend’s competition were Sgts. Maj. Everett Clark, Steven Johnson, Jose Mercado, Master Sgts. Wayne Durham and Robert Trawick. Master Sgt. Lyle Womack coordinated with retired Command Sgt. Maj. Charles N. Curless for this competition. “When you think of the JROTC cadets, they are our future leaders. Being a previous JROTC instructor I love the kids,” said Durham, explaining why he chose to serve as a judge. Mercado said he enjoys events like this competition because they help to spread good news about the Army and it allows him to help with the Army’s future leaders. Curless commented on what the USASMA students bring to the competition saying, “It lets the kids be involved with active Soldiers; [they are] role models, and it is a good experience for the kids to see Soldiers conduct themselves in such a professional manner.” “I enjoy assisting our youth in all their endeavors, especially when it develops discipline, builds teams and enhances their overall self-confidence,” Clark explained. The theme with all the Sergeants Major Course students who judged the drill meet was their ability to help the local community in developing its youth. This competition was especially important since some of these young high school students will continue in their studies of the military and will one day become military officers. The goal of the JROTC is to motivate and develop young people. To accomplish this goal, JROTC combines classroom instruction and extracurricular activities oriented toward attaining an awareness of the rights, responsibilities and privileges of citizenship. The program also focuses on developing the cadets’ sense of personal responsibility, building life skills, and providing leadership opportunities. Jefferson High School’s Drill teams won both the armed and unarmed drill competitions. Burges High School principal, Earnie Watts, presented each team captain with their first place trophies.