LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ โLinden High School came alive with energy and excitement over the weekend as its NJROTC program hosted the annual MLK Drill Competition. The event, a vibrant celebration of precision, discipline, and camaraderie, brought cadets from across New Jersey together for a day of spirited competition in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.โs legacy.
The day-long competition on Saturday, Jan. 18, was the culmination of weeks of meticulous planning by Lindenโs cadets, resulting in a seamlessly executed, student-led event. Demonstrating exceptional organizational and leadership skills, the NJROTC program transformed the school into a hub of military excellence.
๐ฆ๐ต๐ผ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ง๐ฎ๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐๐
NJROTC units from across the state faced off in a variety of categories designed to test both individual skills and team coordination. From uniform inspections to fitness trials and intricate drill routines, the competition highlighted the hard work and dedication of cadets.
While tradition dictated that Lindenโs NJROTC compete without taking trophies, their performance in events such as inspection, physical training, color guard, air rifle shooting, and unarmed and armed tricks impressed both judges and spectators, reinforcing their reputation for excellence.
๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง
The competition challenged cadets to demonstrate their abilities across several rigorous categories:
Inspection: Cadets were scrutinized on their uniforms, grooming, and military knowledge, responding to detailed questions about military history, chain of command, and general principles.
Physical Training (PT): Strength and endurance took center stage as cadets competed in timed runs, push-ups, and sit-ups.
Color Guard: Teams of four executed flawless presentations of national, state, and unit flags, showcasing their discipline and coordination.
Air Rifle: In this three-position shooting event, cadets displayed precision marksmanship while firing at 10-meter targets from prone, standing, and kneeling positions.
Unarmed and Armed Tricks: Cadets performed intricate routines, demonstrating advanced drill techniques and military bearing, both with and without rifles, captivating the audience with their skill.
๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฒ
The Linden NJROTC, as event hosts, had the privilege of presenting placement trophies to the top-performing teams, underscoring their leadership role in the program and the competition. Chief Petty Officer Mark Velez, USN (Ret.), Naval Science Instructor at Linden High School, praised the cadets for their dedication and professionalism.