In the fifteenth year of competition at the Montgomery, Alabama National Drill Meet the Bainbridge High School Junior ROTC cadets achieved their “best success ever”. 

Kneeling are the Drill Team Commanders Adam Anderson, Darren Good, Erick Juarez, Tiffany Blocker, Stephen Dunn, and Ryan Schoeneman. Standing: Former Cadet Commander Jessica Merritt, Kimberly Bridges, Hunter Savage, Dustin Wood, Charles Screen, Riley Cutchin, Anthony Stubbs, Elizabeth Hill, Bitisha Hamilton, Becky Box, Tanisha Warren, Evan Bennett, Chris Campbell, and Former Cadet Commander Michael Love. Not pictured: Clayton Terry

Competing against teams from all four military branches, the drill team earned three first place trophies and one fifth place trophy.  The first place trophies recognize the team as “National Champions” in those respective categories.

Specifically, Cadet Darren Good’s team earned two first place trophies in separate “military inspection” events, and also won a fifth place trophy in Regulation Drill or marching.  Cadet Adam Anderson’s Color Guard won the first place trophy in their competition.  This trophy extends their string of trophies in every competition over the past 18 months.  They have been the most consistently successful color guard in the history of the Bainbridge High School Junior ROTC.

Colonel Breedlove commented, “I think the kids surprised themselves with the magnitude of their success.  This was our most extensive trophy results ever for any national competition, and especially impressive given the three ‘National Championship’ trophies.  We were fortunate to have formed cadets Michael Love and Jessica Merritt with us to work with the teams in their ‘last minute prep’ before each event.  The cadets worked pretty hard for this one, but our main focus for the remainder of the season is the Daytona Nations in early May.”

“But even before the Daytona competition we have a very important Unit Evaluation on Wednesday, February 24th.  Our top performance during this headquarters inspection is critical to our cadets earning their seventh consecutive Distinguished Unit Award.  We need to do well in order for our seniors to achieve this important goal before they graduate.  I’m confident about our prospects, but we have a lot of work ahead over the next two weeks.”