-JROTC's Major Inspection

(Drill Team Competition)

Blood, sweat, and tears were on the floor of the Sergeant First Class Leonard B. Francis Readiness Center’s Drill Hall, commonly known as the “Armory” located in Estate Nazareth Bay, Tuesday, April, 12, 2011, as the major inspection for Kean High took place.

This inspection is mandatory and takes place every four years. The purpose of this inspection is to make sure that the cadets are being taught U.S History, JROTC knowledge, First Aid, CPR, etc.

It was not hard to draw a crowd to watch the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School Mighty Rays JROTC Battalion’s performance as they marched in formation to the center. There was a lot of pressure on the students as well as the instructors. “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail,” said First Sergeant Leroy Mars.

With the bell indicating that school was in session, an announcement rang out over the intercom for each cadet in the JROTC Battalion to come to the JROTC area. Shahara-Ann “Shamie” Donastorg stood in front of a mass formation, trying to soothe the nerves of over 250 cadets.

Some cadets got nervous at the thought of the event, and others by the thought of the consequences. “The inspector puts his pants on one foot at a time, just like every one else,” said Sergeant First Class Patrick Farrell as he tried to ease the minds of cadets.

Once in the center, the cadets practiced one more time before all they had ever learned in JROTC was put to the test. The armory easily accommodated the battalion of more than 250 cadets. Bystanders and members of the National Guard came from their offices to watch as the inspection, color guard and “drill and ceremonies” events were being reviewed.

The inspector, Max Dennison of the 6th Brigade, interrogated the student “staff” of the battalion as well as all member of Bravo Company. The inspector asked Bravo Company questions about President Barack Obama, Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Robert M. Gates, and Secretary of the Army, the Honorable John McHugh. The assessor checked the legitimacy of the battalion’s records and certification.

Alpha and Charlie Company were inspected by 1stSG Leroy Mars and SFC Patrick Farrell, who are both instructors of the program.

After the indoors part of the inspection, the cadets marched back to the school as the clock struck twelve, once again drawing attention by calling cadences loud and clear for the whole of Red Hook to hear. When they arrived at the school, they ate in the cafeteria, then they were instructed to wait at the JROTC area. The cadets stayed after the bell rang to go home to answer more questions.

Each cadet tried to help achieve the highest level of distinction. There are three levels that the JROTC program can reach: Merit Unit, Honor Unit, and Honor Unit with Distinction. The Units of Distinction are symbolized by a colored star. Merit Unit is the least ranking, and if the Battalion attain that, then they get a white star along with it.

Honor Unit is symbolized by a blue star, and Honor Unit with distinction is symbolized by a yellow star.

Battalion Commander Shantelle Eddy said, “ I did not think we would make it, but the fear of not getting that gold star motivated us to do our best.” As rumors of a “white star” floated around, the JROTC instructors and cadets waited patiently until about 5:30 Tuesday evening, when the call came in saying that the battalion had retained their gold star for another four years.

Some cadets were worried about the white star rumor but were very relieved when they heard the news. In the end, some cadets said inspection was boring and tiring, but Senior Army Instructor (Retired) Colonel Eddy Charles said, “This inspection was a great learning experience for the battalion.”

On Monday, April, 11,2011, the Central High School’s Caribs JROTC inspection was also proclaimed a success. On Wednesday, April, 13, 2011, the Charlotte Amalie High School’s Chicken Hawks JROTC was also inspected and retained its gold star.

It looks like all the JROTC programs in the Virgin Islands are outstanding. Maybe it’s something in the water.

(Drill Team members watch a rival teams performance)