The National Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) competed in the NJROTC National Academic, Athletic, and Drill Championship on Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida from April 5th to 6th. They made their way to the top 1.6% in the nation during their time there. This effort was reached by extensive training before, during, and after school. The cadets showed up for practices at 7 in the morning for drill, academics, and other skills.

   Madison Toner (’24) is the Executive Officer (XO) for the program. Toner competed in drill, athletics, and academics. She applauds the unit for coming together and striving to be the best when competing at the competition but she does admit that there could be improvements amongst the unit.

   “I know we get here early in the morning as is, but we could get here even earlier so we have more time to practice and work on skills,” Toner said. 

   Regardless, Toner still was proud that the unit made it to nationals again and had the chance to compete against the best of the best. 

   “Seeing all the teams come together to compete against really high levels is such an amazing thing, you don’t see anything like that down here. At nationals it’s the best of the best coming together,” 

   Brady Bronson (’27) is a first year cadet. He competed in academics, armed exhibition, and armed basics. Armed exhibition is the use of drill rifles to perform complex routines and armed basics is regular military movements with the addition of a drill rifle. 

   “Our unit definitely did well, we are nationally ranked again so that says something. Us as a team will shoot for nationals again next year,” Bronson said.

   Chloe Narcisi (’26) has been to two national competitions now and plans on going again next year. 

   “I enjoyed this competition more than last year because I didn’t get to do a lot last year. I did academics, unarmed expedition, unarmed basic, pushups, and the personal inspection like everyone else,” Narcisi said. 

   Gunny Jones (FAC), one of the NJROTC instructors, accompanied the unit to nationals this year. He helped push the cadets to obtain the number one title in individual stationary drill, male and female sit ups, and second place overall athletics. 

   “The talent this year was incredible and when you are competing against the best in the nation, sometimes your best is just not good enough.  So we go back, continue to train and get ready for next year. I couldn’t be more proud of my cadets, these young men and women represented themselves like professionals in how they prepared and competed,” Gunny said.

   The NJROTC unit will continue to train and push themselves to be the best they can be in order for next year’s competitions. Congratulations to the Mitchell Navy!