Combining competition, team bonding and career exploration, Junior ROTC cadets from five area high schools participated Saturday in the first-ever Warrior Cadet Leadership Challenge at Texas A&M University-Central Texas.
Shoemaker, Killeen Chaparral, Belton and Waco University high school cadets were guests of the university ROTC battalion for a day of comradery and networking.
At the rear of the campus in west Killeen, students visited military service areas for physical challenges like push-ups, chin-ups and lifting equipment as they visited with recruiting representatives.
They also tested their skills on the school’s climbing structures and in tug-of-war, water balloon firing and in a scavenger hunt alongside the college-level cadets.
Chaparral senior Myrnaliz Restocintron, a company commander in the Bobcat Battalion appreciated the chance to interact with peers and learn about post-secondary options in the military.
“Everything has been fun. The obstacle course – seeing what they do in training and asking questions about what they do. We get to see opportunities in ROTC after high school,” she said.
A busy, ambitious senior, Restocintron is a Central Texas College STEM Academy student scheduled to earn an associate’s degree in the spring, and she is training to enter the U.S. Navy and be an elite diver.
Many high school students are still looking for their career path and events like the warrior challenge help bring possibilities into sharper focus.
The inaugural event at the Central Texas university was a miniature version of an annual two-day JROTC showcase at Texas A&M University at College Station that attracts 70-plus battalions nationwide.
“We learned how to work together as a team,” said Shoemaker sophomore Keniya Nash, a company commander in the Grey Wolf Battalion. “We did a scavenger hunt with questions and riddles. We just worked together to figure it out.”
“Today is about really bonding with people in other schools and working with teammates,” said Shoemaker sophomore Arelys Alberti, a platoon sergeant. “I enjoyed meeting new people and learning more about the military.
Junior ROTC, she said, is a good way to learn to work hard in all classes and to be accountable to others.
Killeen High School senior Joseph Briones actually completed Army basic training last summer. He is laboring to earn his way as an officer in cybersecurity.
“I thought the military would be a good way to get that education,” he said, noting the basic training experience was a formidable and satisfying mental challenge.
“Today is a good opportunity to see different jobs in the military and we have lots of competitions, which we like,” said Briones.
Annelisa Amoako, a Chaparral senior and company commander appreciated the chance to bond with team members.
“It was really fun,” she said. “It was a good bonding event. They showed us our individual strengths. Everyone got to contribute. We had a big water balloon fight and that was fun.”
“Today is really an opportunity for us to compete and coordinate together,” said Shoemaker junior Muaadh Makomnen. He described a relay that he took part in that required all team members to cooperate.
He said he pushed through some nervous feelings and could see his strength and passion to achieve.
“Today is an opportunity for different schools to get closer,” said Shoemaker junior Alexander Ayala, who is an armed drill commander and platoon sergeant. “This is the kind of event that brings us together.”
“I like getting to meet the college cadets. It is like getting a glimpse into my future.”