The Freeport NJROTC Drill Team takes on the Area 15 Drill Competition at the Naval Base, Great Lakes on February 26-28th, 2026 for their last competition of the season.
The Cadets had the amazing opportunity of meeting the Commander Of Naval Service Training Command, Rear Admiral Pottenburgh, Along with the Director Of Citizenship, Mr. Bruce Nolan. The Area 15 Manager, Mastery Gunnery Sergeant Ret. Jason Rampa. This was an amazing experience for the Cadets. Most Cadets don’t get the chance to meet 3 people from the Chain of Command.
This competition is our seniors last Drill Competition of their NJROTC career, Teighan Muder, Jeremy Devers, Bliss Fritz, and Annabell Rowan.
Day one of the competition was Academics, and Physical Training. 16 out of the 18 Cadets participated in the PT portion, while 15 of the cadets participated in the Academic Exam.
Day 2 of the competition was the drill portion. Cadet Muder, Mullen, Montes and Rowan presented the Color Guard Team, presenting the colors.
Cadet Montes was the platoon leader that conducted the Unarmed Basic Drill platoon, everyone but 2 cadets participated in the Drill Platoon.
Everyone participated in the Unarmed knockout, and only a selected few participated in the Armed Knockout. Cadet Connell won an unarmed knockout, after being against other amazing cadets.
Cadet Jesse Halverson got 10th place in the Academic Exam.
18 different schools attended the Drill Competition.
One of the newer Cadets, Cadet Kreeger says ‘’ The Drill meet was really fun, it was amazing to see all the different schools, compete and see what the other cadets can do. Being able to march around the base was really fun. “
To the seniors, thank you for putting in so much effort and work into making this program what it is today, the cadets all hope you get everything you want in life, and hope it treats you well.
So, from the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, “fair winds and following seas, your dedication and duties within the unit are no longer needed.”
