Originally published March 2022
The Marion High School JROTC program this week received the highest rating possible from the U.S. Army — Honor Unit with Distinction — following its formal inspection of the program. Only the very best JROTC units in the country receive this rating!
The rating is the result of a formal inspection conducted by a representative from the U.S. Army Cadet Command.
The inspection, which occurs every three years, seeks to validate the instruction the cadets are receiving and the general operation of the program. Units are rated in one of three categories: Unsatisfactory, Proficient, and Honor Unit with Distinction. Only the very best JROTC programs receive the highest rating.
“Your cadets and the program itself are outstanding,” Mrs. Tamiko Riley, the inspector from the U.S. Army Cadet Command told Marion High School Principal Lloyd Bryant following the inspection. “The cadets do not just know the subject matter. They also know how to analyze, problem solve and communicate. They truly did a great job.”
Members of the Marion High School JROTC Drill Team “present arms” (salute) as part of the JROTC unit’s formal inspection by representatives from the U.S. Army Cadet Command. The inspection looked at all aspects of the cadets’ training and accomplishments.
The inspection encompasses several activities, all designed to enable the inspector to get a true sense of what the cadets have learned and how they can apply what they have learned.
The first event was a briefing by the cadet leadership on their Capstone Project, a year-long Continual Improvement Plan. The cadets select an aspect of the JROTC program that needs to improve. They then develop a plan, implement the plan, analyze the results and reflect upon what they have accomplished and learned in the process.
Cadet Lt. Col. Nic Elliott, the JROTC Battalion Commander, started the briefing by stating he was responsible for everything that happens or fails to happen within MHS JROTC. He and his staff of cadets then presented their project to the inspector.
“I was not really nervous,” said Elliott, a senior at Marion High School. “We knew what we had done and had rehearsed our briefing well. I was excited to finally be able to demonstrate what we are capable of doing.”
The next briefing was conducted by Cadet Stephany Miksch, an MHS junior, Cadet Dajaia Weaver, a senior, and Cadet Alsya Yancey, a junior, who discussed a Service Learning Project they had conducted to serve the local community.
While both these briefings were being conducted, two U.S. Army Recruiters conducted an in-ranks inspection of the remaining cadets. Each cadet was quizzed upon general JROTC knowledge while their uniforms were inspected. Cadets were also evaluated on their military bearing (poise) while answering the questions.
Local U.S. Army recruiters inspect the Marion High School JROTC cadets during the unit’s formal inspection by the U.S. Army Cadet Command. Every cadet had their uniform inspected for proper wear and appearance, and cadets had to answer general knowledge questions about JROTC demonstrating their composure and military bearing.
Continuing the inspection, the MHS JROTC color guard and drill teams both had to demonstrate a series of commands and movements, similar to what they do when they attend regional drill team competitions.
Finally, 16 cadets representing each of the four year groups of JROTC presented their cadet portfolio to the inspector, which demonstrates the coursework they have completed. The cadets were quizzed upon what they had learned and how they were applying it in both JROTC and their lives in general.
“They smoked it!” exclaimed retired Command Sgt. Maj. Jon Smith, Army Instructor for the MHS JROTC. “They really did a great job.”
Marion High School JROTC Cadets reviewed their individual portfolios with an inspector from the US Army Cadet Command during the unit’s formal inspection. The cadets were asked about what they had learned and how they applied what they were learning in school and in life in general.
In the 11 years of the JROTC program at Marion High School, the Giants have consistently received the top rating.
“We have very high standards for our cadets,” said retired Lt. Col. David Farlow, Senior Army Instructor for the MHS JROTC. “We want the cadets to strive for excellence, to work hard, and to achieve great things. And that is just what they did during this inspection.”
As a result of being evaluated as an Honor Unit With Distinction again, each cadet will wear a Gold Star indicating that they serve in one of these select few elite JROTC programs.
