Etowah High School is happy to present an extremely accomplished Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program. Etowah’s JROTC is a detachment of the Air Force branch of the military, meaning that the course teaches aerospace technology in the scientific and historical sense while simultaneously teaching high school students imperative leadership skills. Furthermore, the program offers students the opportunity to learn the basics of becoming a traditional pilot, as well as a drone pilot. Those who take the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (AFJROTC) course are eligible for scholarships to many different colleges. Individuals taking the AFJROTC class are recommended to pick between many different service-relation activities outside of the course. One of these activities is participating in Etowah’s Junior Raider program. Another activity a student may participate in would be Etowah’s Colorguard. However, as stated before, there are multiple different extracurriculars one can choose from: Junior Leadership and Academic Bowl (JLAB), marksmanship, drones, orienteering, robotics and Kitty Hawk air society. Lastly, it is important to note that those who are members of the AFJROTC class are taught simple yet important skills necessary to function today that are not purely military based, including public speaking, leadership and diversity.Each competition day starts very early, with teams typically arriving at the competition before sunrise. As teams arrive, they check in and stake a claim on their base camp location for the day. After a long day of competing, the Raider’s teams gather to await the results of their hard-fought day. Etowah’s teams are extremely tough competitors each time they take to the field. This competition day was held in Adairsville, GA.The Junior Raider program is a competitive way to showcase team building, strength, character development, fitness and citizenship amongst those in JROTC programs all across the state. These skills are displayed through ten different athletic and curriculum-based events, which the teams practice weeks before competitions start. After competing almost every weekend for two months, the highest ranking teams are invited to compete in Nationals. The all-male Etowah Alpha team and mixed-gendered Etowah Bravo team were invited to compete against the best teams across the nation. Etowah’s Bravo team won the Masters Division Air Force JROTC National Champion. Etowah’s overall program took home the first place Master’s Level award.Etowah has four teams: the Alpha team is all male, while Bravo, Charlie and Delta teams are mixed with male and female students. Etowah’s Raider team commander picks the best individuals to compete in each event to ensure the best outcome. Although competition days revolve around the same central idea, not all competitions are exactly the same. While some competitions will have a cross-country inspired challenge, others might have the rope bridge challenge in its place. The tire flip is one of ten events during competition day, as well.Another event competed in is the rope bridge. The rope bridge is a particularly challenging event; depending on the competitions’ location, the rope bridge can be over water or stretching between two wooden poles across a large field. The bridge is strung a certain distance, and each member of the team must cross the bridge without the bridge collapsing. Once everyone is across, the team then disassembles the bridge and brought to the finish line.Here is a closer, in-action look of the rope bridge task. Depicted in this photo is Etowah’s Charlie Level Raider team. This is nearing the end of the activity, as the rope bridge is being disassembled.
Shown here is the Alpha team competing in Fort Knox, Ky.Given an invitation from the United StatesArmy, Etowah’s outstanding team competed in the Junior Reserve Officers‘ Training Corps All-service National Competition in the Masters Division. This major event took place in Oct., so one can only imagine how cold the murky water must be.
Seen here is a closer view of the trophy presented to Etowah’s Air Force JROTC mixed team for ranking first overall in the Nationals competition.The Cherokee County School Board applauded the 2024-2025 Etowah AFJROTC during their Dec. 12th meeting. The student’s determination, hard work and pure grit were recognized on this unforgettable evening.
Hey y’all! I’m Sophia Wilkins, I’m a freshman this year, and I’m elated to be a part of The Talon! In addition to writing, I enjoy spending my free time playing basketball, as well as hanging out with friends. I also enjoy hiking, camping, and kayaking!
