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JROTC Bulldawg battalion takes a bite of the competition in Waco

By DONAVON RITCHIE
Special to Leader-Press
 
Copperas Cove JROTC cadets rose and shone before the sun, but there were not headed to morning physical training. The CCHS Bulldawg Battalion boarded a bus to Waco High School. The drive was quiet, but the positivity was obvious. The Copperas Cove Bulldog Battalion was ready to win and whip out the competition.
 
First to compete were the Female Raider team and Male Raider team. They stepped off the bus and immediately began stretching for their 8 a.m. competitions. And, the preparation paid off. Both Copperas Cove raider teams scored first in Pushups, Situps, 40 times or sprint for 40 yards, and first place for the Mile Eye March. The raider teams quickly celebrated their victories and then immediately focused their attention on the Female and Male Color Guard Marching and Evaluations contests.
 
Female Color Guard was evaluated on questions and rated on the dress of the uniform. Upon completion of the questions and uniform checks, the female cadets scored highly in the marching competition. Male Color Guard was also evaluated on questions and uniform wear and also scored well. Cadet First Sergeant Truman Kilpatrick was impressed with their performances.
 
“It felt amazing to see that the cadets gave it their all at the competition that I was a part of a battalion made to be a family,” he said.
 
The JROTC academic team placed lower than expected but vowed to study harder work. The team was obviously frustrated with the loss but is already preparing for the next competition.
 
The Armed Drill teams are evaluated and given orders to procced and perform. The Bulldawg Battalion did not place in the top three finalists but again, realized where they needed to focus their efforts before the next contest.
 
The Unarmed Drill team was not able to perform due to many minor and major infractions and was disqualified. Cadet Second lieutenant Bailey Harner still found the over-all competition to be a learning experience.
 
“It was fun to be with the battalion and overall, it was a good day,” he said.

 

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