Marjory Stoneman Douglas cadets compete in the annual JROTC Raider Meet

Coral Springs, Florida – Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) Cadets from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School excelled on October 16 in the annual Raider meet.

This year, the Raider meet consisted of five events: it started with a 5K run, cross country rescue (liter carry), fitness challenge (obstacle course), rope bridge, and tire flip (270 pounds.).

“We adjusted the 5K Run to 2.2. miles to ensure all cadets were able to run a safe distance that would not adversely affect their performance, due to a lack of adequate training,” said Lt. Colonel Kenneth P. Green, Broward County Public School Coordinator for the JROTC & Military Programs.”

“Of the extracurricular activities Raiders is the most physical,” Green added that the Raiders allows student/cadets the opportunity to work together as a team to negotiate various obstacles under the demands of running, jumping, climbing, and decision making, which is critical to completing each task in the fastest time possible.

This proved to be an opportunity for the cadets to become even stronger while the program was put on hold because of Covid.

“Due to COVID-19, our student/cadets, as well as our instructors, had to get to know each other again,” said Green. “To be able to reset and start over again was something that everyone had to do, and it was great to see the results of their commitment to work harder with the challenges of COVID.”

According to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School JROTC, who placed second in the event, it was an opportunity to practice the discipline that is part of the program and overcome the challenges brought on by the pandemic.