About the Whale Branch MCJROTC Program: The Program at Whale Branch Early College High School truly began with the arrival of SgtMaj. Farr (USMC Retired). The goal of this program is to help students gain confidence and respect for others and to gain a sense of general leadership and responsibility.
In the past two years, the program grew extensively. The program now has about 125 cadets currently enrolled in MCJROTC, with the numbers increasing each year. From the beginning of the program to now, major improvements have been made. A great example of improvement is the creation of the staff. The staff is used to pass down information through the Chain of Command, which makes the various jobs available to cadets who can work and take responsibility for that job. However, not every cadet is a part of the staff. Cadets must show an interest in a certain field and be approved by the Senior Marine Instructor and Marine Instructor. Staff meetings are held every Monday after school. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Whale Branch's MCJROTC Program began in 2011 where it was paired up with Battery Creek High School. In 2012, Whale Branch received two new MCJROTC Instructors (Sergeant Major Dwayne Farr ,USMC Retired, and Major Joey Martin, USMC Retired) and the program became their responsibility.
After the first year, unfortunately Major Martin retired and a new Senior Marine Instructor came into the position by the name of Colonel Robert Wallace (USMC Retired). With the new instructor, bigger steps began coming into play. The formation of a staff came into play and also the rise in the Drill Team. In 2013-14, the MCJROTC Warrior Drill Team made it to the Region 6 Drill competition. The Drill Team now has about 42 trophies from recent competitions, all won within the last two years. Sadly, at the end of last year, Colonel Wallace has moved on to take up a new program to help mold them into hard working cadets. However, today the program still grows in power, strength, teamwork, and leadership, with Sergeant Major Farr (USMC Retired) leading the cadets in the right directions to better their futures. |
DRILL TEAM AND COLOR GUARD: One of the biggest activities that happens within the program would be the Whale Branch Drill Team. The Drill Team is a group of 20 or so cadets who take an interest in the Armed/Unarmed Drill and focus on getting better at drilling so they can soon compete against other schools. In order to be a part of the Drill Team, a cadet must try out and be selected by some of the top cadets and SgtMaj. Farr (USMC Retired). The Drill Team consists of Commanders and the actual Drill Cadets. The Commanders are the cadets who actually are in control of the Platoon/Squad., while the Drillers are the cadets within the Platoon.Squad. The Drill Team practices Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 14:45-16:30 P.M.
Another activity that's big within the program would be the Drill Teams Color Guard. In order to be a part of a color guard, a cadet must be a apart of the Drill Team. Color Guards have a variety of performances from simple high school Baseball and Football games, Professional Basketball Games and Community events. The Color Guard consists of two riflemen with the National and Organizational Colors in the center. Practices for Color Guard usually run on Wednesdays from 14:45-16:30 P.M Cadets Washington, Walker, and Nelson preforming a small exhibition routine for Recruiting Day at Whale Branch Middle School. (DRILL)
Middle School kids trying to compete in Knock Out Drill-Recruiting Day
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